Am I at Risk for Borderline Personality Disorder?
Many people wonder if they may be at risk for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). While there is no test to predict whether or not an individual will develop BPD, there are several risk factors that have been identified as possibly contributing to the disorder's development.
GeneticsGenetic factors play a role in the development of BPD. Studies show that genes account for more than 60% of the variance related to the onset of the disorder. Further, those with first order relatives affected by the disorder are up to five times more likely to develop the disorder themselves.
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NeurobiologyIndividuals diagnosed with BPD have been shown to have lower levels of serotonin function in their brains, which may contribute to an overall dysphoric mood. In addition, a major center for emotional regulation, the amygdala, tends to be smaller in these individuals and poorly connected to other areas of the brain known to be important in mood regulation (e.g. such as the prefrontal cortex).
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Childhood Abuse & Parenting IssuesWhile not every child that experiences abuse develops BPD, childhood abuse has been show to be connected to the disorder's onset. In particular, emotional and verbal abuse are damaging when paired with parenting that fails to validate a child's feelings. Some children are punished for sharing their feelings. Only Dissociative Identity Disorder has been linked to higher rates of abuse
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No single factor can predict whether or not you are at risk for developing symptoms of BPD. In fact, the presence of all three of these factors do not necessarily mean that you will exhibit symptoms. The development of this or other mental health disorders is complex and multi-faceted.
If you are concerned, you should consult a mental health professional.