Borderline Personality Disorder is the most common personality disorder, in both the United States and areas all around the world. It is seen between thirty and sixty percent of all patients who are diagnosed with one or more of the ten personality disorders and the American Psychiatric Association estimate it to trouble two to four percent of the general public (Health, 2007). Other clinicians believe it to be higher because it is proven that ten percent of the entire clinical population evaluated of outpatients, and twenty percent of all inpatients satisfy the BPD criteria (Kreisman, 2004). With this disorder, there is a high rate of self-injury without suicide intent, as well as a significant rate of suicide attempts. Patients suffering from an illness such as this need extensive mental health services, and account for twenty percent of psychiatric hospitalizations (Wirth-Cauchon, 2001).
The intensity of borderline symptoms may be related to life situations. One large study found that more severe pathology was correlated with people who were unemployed, separated (but not divorced) individuals, atheists, and people with criminal pasts, and those who lost a parent through death or divorce at a young age (Grohol, 2007). Typically, borderline behavior is first noticed from the late teens to the early thirties. These people usually experienced severe separation problems or rage outburst when younger and have a parental relationship that is one of two extremes—either too dependent or too rejecting. Most adolescents are already struggling with issues such as identity, moodiness, impulsivity, and relationship insecurities. These things are the core of BPD. However, normal adolescents do not exhibit suicide attempts, violent rages, or excessive drug abuse (Kreisman, 2004).
Through their thirties and forties, borderline behaviors may be curbed or no longer significantly hamper daily activities. During this time, many borderlines achieve stability in their lives....