These mental illnesses are characterized by strange thinking, feeling, and behavioral patterns, which cause individuals marked distress and/or functional issues.

The DSM 5 “Unspecified Disorder” is not a personality disorder, it is used to enhance specificity of an existing disorder or it is an emergency diagnosis unto itself (i.e. Unspecified Mental Disorder, 300.9), without being attached to another disorder.

Overview. A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people.

Research suggests that genetics, abuse and other factors contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic or other personality disorders. In the past, some believed that people with personality disorders were just lazy or even evil.

BPD patients also suffer from psychotic and dissociative symptoms, with disturbances of perception and of cognition, including memory [2]-[4].

There is some evidence that borderline personality disorder may be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Childhood abuse, neglect, and child separation from caregivers or loved ones are believed to be major contributing factors, particularly sustained and severe abuse.

What are the symptoms of quiet BPD?

1. mood swings that can last for as little as a few hours, or up to a few days, but no one else can see them.
2. suppressing feelings of anger or denying that you feel angry.
3. withdrawing when you’re upset.
4. avoiding talking to others who have upset you and cutting them off instead.

According to field expert Theodore Millon, there are four different types of borderline personality disorder:

• Discouraged borderline personality disorder.
• Impulsive borderline personality disorder.
• Petulant borderline.
• Self-destructive borderline.

You might also experience BPD without having any history of traumatic or stressful life events, or you might have had other types of difficult experiences.

Most people who suffer from BPD have a history of major trauma, often sustained in childhood. This includes sexual and physical abuse, extreme neglect, and separation from parents and loved ones.

The condition seems to be worse in young adulthood and may gradually get better with age. If you have borderline personality disorder, don’t get discouraged. Many people with this disorder get better over time with treatment and can learn to live satisfying lives.

But for the most part, with informed and individualized treatment, BPD can be controlled in the same way as diabetes or other chronic conditions. The disease may not go away, but it can be managed in a way that affords a better quality of life.

The mean patient age was 27 years, and 77% were women. After 24 years, more patients with BPD died by suicide than patients with other PD (5.9% vs 1.4%). Similarly, rates of death from other causes were higher in patients with BPD (14.0%) compared with comparison patients (5.5%).

Outlook / Prognosis Most of the time, borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms gradually decrease with age. Some people’s symptoms disappear in their 40s. With the right treatment, many people with borderline personality disorder learn to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

DBT is the most studied treatment for BPD and the one shown to be most effective. Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is a talk therapy that helps people identify and understand what others might be thinking and feeling.

Divalproex sodium and valproate Divalproex sodium is among the mood stabilizers, which are comprehensively studied in patients with BPD [52].

Borderline personality disorder is mainly treated using psychotherapy, but medication may be added. Your doctor also may recommend hospitalization if your safety is at risk. Treatment can help you learn skills to manage and cope with your condition.