National Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Week takes place from 1-7 October. This year’s theme is ‘Flipping the Script: Changing the Narrative on BPD’.
BPD is a complex mental disorder that includes difficulties with regulating emotions. It needs an accurate diagnosis along with targeted treatment.
BPD affects between two and five per cent of people at some stage of their lives. Symptoms usually first appear in mid to late teens or in early adulthood. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with BPD than men.
Symptoms may include emotional distress, self-harm, and difficulty relating to others and the world around them. This can be very distressing for the person and for people close to them.
The causes of BPD are not fully understood. They are likely to involve biological, social and/or environmental factors. For some people these factors may relate to childhood experiences of trauma or neglect.
What makes a personality ‘disordered’? A personality disorder is a class of mental disorders that are diagnosed when these patterns are repeatedly and seriously inflexible and dysfunctional, over an extended period of time.
Contrary to common belief, people with BPD can recover and live fulfilling lives. With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and support, the prognosis for people with BPD is positive.
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Week aims to heighten education and awareness in Australia, resulting in effective early detection. Another goal is access to evidence-based treatment for all affected Australians.
A number of events including webinars and online discussions have been organised for BPD Awareness Week. Click here for more information.
The Australian BPD Foundation offers resources on BPD.