Teen Borderline Personality Disorder
- Teen Borderline Personality Disorder
Along with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (or "BPD") is one of the most common (and most serious) mental health issues facing teenagers in the United States. Read on to learn more about this difficult condition and how impacts the lives of our young people.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder is a serious mental condition in which the individual suffers from wildly erratic symptoms. For example, individuals with BPD may fly into fits of rage without warning or fall in and out love with a person at the drop of hat. Those who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder see the world in very "black and white" terms.
Teenagers and Borderline Personality Disorder
Currently, teenage girls are the group with the highest risk for developing BPD, although the condition does strike a small percentage of boys as well. If parents suspect that their child may have Borderline Personality Disorder, they should watch for the following signs and symptoms of the condition:
- Reckless behavior - such as driving too fast or having unsafe sex with multiple partners
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-harming behavior
- Intense bursts of anxiety or depression
- An inability to control one's emotions
- An inability to maintain personal relationships
Treating Teenage BPD
There are several factors to consider when treating a teenager with BPD. As illustrated in the list above, many of the symptoms of BPD are also exhibited by many "normal" teens during this time of personal rebellion. But there is an intensity and unpredictably about those with BPD that makes it different from simple teenage angst. Parents will likely know the difference in their own child - but if they don't it is recommended that they have the child evaluated.
Once it has been determined that the teenager does indeed have Borderline Personality Disorder, parents should consider taking the following steps:
- Improve communication. Parents of a BPD child must set aside their fears and preoccupation with the sometimes intimidating symptoms of the illness, and reach out the child with greater caring and communication.
- Learn about the teen's stressors. Once a line of communication has been opened, parents can begin to learn more about the sources of stress and anxiety in their child's life that may be causing the BPD (or at the least, making it worse).
- Seek out professional treatment. Teenagers with BPD can be a danger to themselves and others. It is therefore important to get the child into treatment as soon as possible. Communication shows that you love them and helps you learn about the root causes of their condition - but it is professional treatment that will really turn things around.
Newport Academy offers treatment and care for young people suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. Left untreated BPD can be a debilitating disease for the individual and her family. Newport Academy offers more than just advanced treatment methods - it offers real hope for families who want nothing more than go back to their lives before BPD. Contact Newport Academy today for more information.
