Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by difficulties regulating emotions which can lead to impulsivity, unstable relationships, and self-harm. About 1.4% of adults in the US have BPD, which is more common in women. Symptoms include fear of abandonment and unstable self-image. The causes are genetic, environmental like childhood abuse, and neurological differences in emotional regulation areas of the brain. Treatment focuses on psychotherapy.

1. PERSONALITY
DISORDERS

2. • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition characterized by difficulties
regulating emotion. This means that people who experience BPD feel emotions
intensely and for extended periods of time, and it is harder for them to return to a
stable baseline after an emotionally triggering event.
• This difficulty can lead to impulsivity, poor self-image, stormy relationships and
intense emotional responses to stressors. Struggling with self-regulation can also
result in dangerous behaviors such as self-harm (e.g. cutting).

3. • It’s estimated that 1.4% of the adult U.S. population experiences BPD. Nearly 75%
of people diagnosed with BPD are women. Recent research suggests that men
may be equally affected by BPD, but are commonly misdiagnosed with PTSD or
depression.
• Symptoms:
• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
• Distorted and unstable self-image, which affects moods, values, opinions, goals
and relationships.
• Chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness.

4. • The causes of BPD are not fully understood, but scientists agree that it is the result of a
combination of factors, including:
• Genetics. While no specific gene or gene profile has been shown to directly cause BPD, research
research suggests that people who have a close family member with BPD may be at a higher risk
of developing the disorder.
• Environmental factors. People who experience traumatic life events—such as physical or sexual
sexual abuse during childhood or neglect and separation from parents—are at increased risk of
developing BPD.
• Brain function. The emotional regulation system may be different in people with BPD,
suggesting that there is a neurological basis for some of the symptoms. Specifically, the portions
of the brain that control emotions and decision-making/judgment may not communicate
optimally with one another.

5. • In many cases, people with histrionic personality disorder have good social skills;
however, they tend to use these skills to manipulate others so that they can be the
center of attention.
• Be uncomfortable unless he or she is the center of attention
• Dress provocatively and/or exhibit inappropriately seductive or flirtatious behavior
• Shift emotions rapidly
• Act very dramatically, as though performing before an audience, with exaggerated
emotions and expressions, yet appears to lack sincerity
• Be overly concerned with physical appearance

6. • The exact cause of histrionic personality disorder is not known, but many mental
health professionals believe that both learned and inherited factors play a role in
its development.
• Personality disorders also usually develop in relation to individual temperament
and psychological styles and ways people learn to cope with stress while growing
up.

7. • Narcissistic personality disorder — one of several types of personality disorders
— is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own
importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled
relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme
confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

8. • Symptoms:
• Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
• Exaggerate achievements and talents
• Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the
perfect mate
• Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people

9. • Causes
• It's not known what causes narcissistic personality disorder. As with personality
development and with other mental health disorders, the cause of narcissistic
personality disorder is likely complex. Narcissistic personality disorder may be
linked to one’s environment.

10. • Narcissistic personality disorder treatment is centered around talk therapy, also
called psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you:
• Learn to relate better with others so your relationships are more intimate,
enjoyable and rewarding
• Understand the causes of your emotions and what drives you to compete, to
distrust others, and perhaps to despise yourself and others

11. • Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental
condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and
ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality
disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous
indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior.
• Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming
criminals.

12. • Symptoms:
• Disregard for right and wrong
• Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others
• Being callous, cynical and disrespectful of others
• Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or personal pleasure
• Arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated
• Recurring problems with the law, including criminal behavior
• Repeatedly violating the rights of others through intimidation and dishonesty

13. • Adults with antisocial personality disorder typically show symptoms of conduct
disorder before the age of 15.
Causes
• Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that makes
everyone unique. It's the way people view, understand and relate to the outside
world, as well as how they see themselves. Personality forms during childhood,
shaped through an interaction of inherited tendencies and environmental factors.