Borderline personality disorder is a serious condition that can make it difficult for a woman or adolescent girl to function in her daily life.
The Office on Women’s Health notes that borderline personality disorder can cause a girl or woman to have an intense fear of rejection. Borderline personality disorder may also cause a woman or girl to behave impulsively and suffer from unstable moods.
Common Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder
When a woman or adolescent girl is struggling with borderline personality disorder, a pattern of behaviors may emerge. If a girl or woman is displaying some of these behaviors, it may be a sign that she needs additional support.
These are a few examples of borderline personality disorder warning signs:
- Rushes into friendships and significant relationships
- Unstable relationships with friends and family
- Cuts off relationships very suddenly
- Often drives recklessly
- Has unsafe sex
- Binge eats
- Goes on spending sprees
- Trouble controlling anger
- Intense, unpredictable moods
- Self-perception changes regularly
- Has difficulty trusting others
Common Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder symptoms show that a woman or girl has progressed beyond the warning signs and may need professional care.
Borderline personality disorder affects every woman differently depending on varying influences in her life, so she may struggle with all these symptoms or only a few of them.
Here are examples of borderline personality disorder symptoms:
- Feels empty or worthless
- Self-harms
- Abuses drugs or alcohol
- Has other mental health conditions
- Feels cut off from reality or her own body
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
If a woman or adolescent girl is struggling with borderline personality disorder symptoms, it is essential for her to get professional help. At Timberline Knolls, we individualize the care we provide according to each woman’s specific needs and goals so that she gets the support that’s right for her.
Common Causes & Risk Factors of Borderline Personality Disorder
Researchers have yet to pinpoint what causes borderline personality disorder. Experts do know that certain factors can increase a woman’s or adolescent girl’s risk for developing borderline personality disorder.
Examples of causes and risk factors for borderline personality disorder include:
- Having a parent, brother, or sister who has borderline personality disorder
- Sexual abuse or abusive relationships
- Past abandonment
Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics
- The National Institute of Mental Health found that 1.4% of U.S. adults age 18 and older struggled with borderline personality disorder in the past year.
- In the past year, 84.5% of adults who have borderline personality disorder also suffered from another mental health concern.
- The National Alliance on Mental Health notes that 75% of those impacted by borderline personality disorder are women.
Effects of Borderline Personality Disorder
Waiting to get help for borderline personality disorder can have a devastating impact on a woman’s or girl’s life.
The effects of borderline personality disorder differ from person to person depending on factors such as how long they’ve struggled with borderline personality disorder, whether they’ve sought help previously, and their family history.
These are some examples of the effects of borderline personality disorder:
- Other behavioral health conditions
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Unplanned pregnancies
- Financial struggles or bankruptcy
- Frequent arrests or jail time
- Job loss or unemployment
- Broken relationships
- Death by suicide
What If My Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms Return?
Taking the steps to heal from borderline personality disorder is an act of courage that can significantly change your life and relationships.
By seeking professional care for borderline personality disorder, you have built a foundation for successful, long-lasting recovery. But throughout your recovery journey, you may find that your borderline personality disorder symptoms return from time to time.
At Timberline Knolls, we work closely with you to prepare you for any future challenges you may encounter. You will work with an expert team that will help you gain the skills you need to manage any borderline personality disorder symptoms that may emerge after you complete care with us.
Common Underlying or Co-Occurring Conditions
Many women and adolescent girls who have borderline personality disorder also struggle with other mental health or substance use disorders. Living with the symptoms of all these conditions can be incredibly overwhelming, making it challenging to get through the day.
When you choose to seek care for borderline personality disorder at Timberline Knolls, our team makes sure to address any co-occurring conditions or underlying disorders so that you get help on a holistic level.
The National Alliance on Mental Health provides valuable resources to help you learn more about the other types of disorders that can co-occur with borderline personality disorder.
This content was reviewed and approved by the clinical staff at Timberline Knolls.
