Myths and facts

Know BPD. No Stigma.

Even with increased scientifically-based bear witness in today'southward world about BPD, there are notwithstanding lingering myths and misconceptions nearly the disorder. It is time to dispel these myths about BPD!

MYTH: BPD is rare
FACT:Between 1-4% of the population is estimated to accept BPD diagnosis. That's more bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined!

MYTH: Simply women have BPD
FACT:It is true that there is currently a 3 to 1 female to male person ratio in those diagnosed with BPD. Psychology theories suggest that when men brandish similar symptoms they may be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder due to this myth. In addition, men and women answer different to emotional distress. Women are more likely to internalise their overwhelming feelings leading them to low and anxiety. Whereas men tend to have more than explosive temperaments and engage in impulsive behaviours to avoid emotional damage and this may explain why there is a 3 to one male to female ratio in hating personality disorder diagnoses.

MYTH: "Help-rejecting complainers", irresponsible, fickle and egocentric
FACT: Those who endure from BPD are genuinely suffering and practise not choose to exist this mode. Unfortunately, many people dismiss those with BPD equally manipulative, destructive, and violent. Media portrayals of people with BPD bear witness them every bit violent because of strong tendencies towards angry outbursts, but this is a minute representation out of the hundreds of BPD trait combinations. When someone is consciously manipulative, they deliberately seek to control or influence some other person'due south behaviour to get what they desire. A person with BPD is too impulsive to think things through and many of their deportment are done out of agony for assist so sometimes these intentions are misunderstood and perceived as manipulative. While their reactions may look like they are premeditated, they oftentimes have no control over their emotional response and struggle to adapt to new situations and express themselves in a calm manner.

The majority of researchers concord that individuals presenting with BPD traits are unlikely to actually physically cause whatsoever harm towards others. Given the right support network of handling and therapy, people who experience BPD symptoms tin can learn to manage and regulate their emotions and behaviours to better and maintain relationships. The support network tin include participation from trusting and caring family and friends who can assist them better understand and communicate with someone who has BPD.

Notation that we are non suggesting that people with BPD shouldn't be held accountable for their own behaviors – they absolutely should. But it would also be a mistake to regard people who experience BPD symptoms but every bit mentally healthy people who are beingness selfish. Having this agreement volition allow people with BPD traits to feel valued that they have a legitimate clinical condition and to seek effective and appropriate help on improving their thought processes.

MYTH: " intractable" and "treatment-resistant"
FACT:Treating patients with BPD is challenging, requiring immense commitment from all stakeholders in the recovery.  It can be of substantial take chances to the individual and others if the allocated treatment is inappropriate or bereft. However, while treatment may be difficult, information technology does not hateful that there are no treatments. In fact, there are several handling and therapeutic strategies that have been developed and researched over the last couple of decades such as dialectical beliefs therapy that has shown great efficacy.

MYTH: "emotional hypochondriacs" (attention-seeking)
FACT:One of the symptoms of BPD is self-harm and suicidal behaviours, which may be mistaken for seeking attention. These self-subversive tendencies are in fact poor coping skills to self-soothe from emotional turmoil. When a person with BPD self harms, it is usually done abroad from others' views so that their cuts and scars can be subconscious underneath habiliment.

The emotional outbursts from people with BPD are not intended to exist attending-seeking, but is their expression of intense internal feelings. They are not melodramatic however, the more they are misunderstood, the more they suffer and the greater their emotional outbursts. This is a consequence of dysfunctional thought processes in which the individual's behaviour is fuelled by emotions instead of rational thoughts. Therefore, as the person with BPD experiences greater emotional instability, their coping mechanism is to bear in a way that can seem extreme, irrational and impulsive. Any expression of self-harm or suicide must therefore be taken seriously.

Useful links

Very Well – Mutual myths well-nigh BPD

CBS – BPD: 8 dangerous myths

BPD Demystified – Myths about borderline disorder

PsychCentral – Men tin can take BPD, too

The Mighty Busts BPD Stereotypes

7 Myths on BPD