Jane Doe
College of My Choice
Borderline Personality Disorder “Personality traits are patterns of thinking, perceiving, reacting, and relating that are relatively stable over time and in various situations” (Porter & Kaplan, 2011, p. 1553). Personality traits normally begin at adolescence. Most of these traits are upheld through most of life, while some of these traits change as we get older. “A personality disorder is a long-lasting pattern of maladaptive behavior that adversely affects a person’s ability to interact with others (American Medical Association (AMA), 2004, p. 722). Personality disorders are inescapable, rigid, and lasting patterns of behavior that cause significant anxiety or disability. There are ten distinct personality disorders that have been identified (Porter & Kaplan, 2011, p. 1553). They are grouped into three categories; type “A” personality disorders are indicated by odd or unconventional behavior, type “B” personality disorders are indicated by extremely emotional conduct/behavior, and type “C” personality disorders are typically classified by anxiety and paranoid behaviors. Borderline personality disorder falls under type “B”. About 13% of the general population is affected by personality disorders (Porter & Kaplan, 2011). Out of that 13%, borderline personality disorder occurs in about 1%, with women outnumbering men 3:1. (Porter & Kaplan, 2011, p. 1553).
The affected person’s behavior is blatantly different from what is considered acceptable behavior. “People with borderline personality disorder have a lifelong history of mood instability and fear real or imagined abandonment” (AMA, 2004, p. 723). Symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include extreme emotional moods swings, harmful and impulsive behavior, problems maintaining relationships, low self-esteem or worth, fear of abandonment, aggressiveness, and suicidal thoughts or