BPD affects between 1% and 6% of the general population (Chanen et al. 2007; Grant et al. 2008; NHMRC 2012). They have among the highest levels of unmet need in Australian mental health services, comprising up to 23% of outpatients and 43% of inpatients (NHMRC 2012).
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition. It affects about 1-4 per cent of people in Australia at some stage of their lives.
This can be very distressing for the person and for people close to them. Currently between 2% and 5% of Australians, that's 520,000 to 1,300,000 individuals are affected by BPD at some stage in their lives. The symptoms of the disorder usually first appear in mid to late teens or in early adulthood.
It's been estimated that approximately 1.6 % of adults in the United States struggle with BPD. The number may actually be much higher than that, and many experts believe that the correct number may actually be closer to six percent. Even at 1.6%, that's over five million Americans who have this disorder.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Some people with BPD may meet the criteria for the NDIS, in particular those who have co-existing mental and physical health diagnoses. It is possible for people to recover from BPD however, and to go onto the NDIS, it is required you have a permanent disability.
So even though BPD is a disability, the SSA may be more likely to approve your claim if you have another qualifying condition. For example, many people with BPD also struggle with anxiety, complex PTSD, or depression, all of which can also qualify for disability.
The three main benefits available to people with a mental health disability are the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Attendance Allowance (AA).
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
Myth: BPD Is a Rare Condition
BPD is not a rare condition. Many people have heard of schizophrenia, which occurs in more than 2 million people in the United States alone. BPD is more common than not only schizophrenia but bipolar disorder as well.
Results: People with Borderline Personality Disorder have a reduced life expectancy of some 20 years, attributable largely to physical health maladies, notably cardiovascular. Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and smoking.
Research has shown that the prognosis for BPD is actually not as bad at once thought. Almost half of people who are diagnosed with BPD will not meet the criteria for a diagnosis just two years later. Ten years later, 88% of people who were once diagnosed with BPD no longer meet the criteria for a diagnosis.
While there are no definitive studies on how many serial killers have BPD or schizophrenia, some estimates suggest that up to 50% of all serial killers may have one or both of these disorders.
Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder affecting around 1% of the population. It is associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity,2 impairment in social function3 and a high rate of service utilisation. Personality disorder as a whole is associated with reduced life expectancy.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious, long-lasting and complex mental health problem. People with BPD have difficulty regulating or handling their emotions or controlling their impulses.
People with BPD score low on cognitive empathy but high on emotional empathy. This suggests that they do not easily understand other peoples' perspectives, but their own emotions are very sensitive. This is important because it could align BPD with other neurodiverse conditions.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most damaging mental illnesses. By itself, this severe mental illness accounts for up to 10 percent of patients in psychiatric care and 20 percent of those who have to be hospitalized.
Is narcissism a symptom of BPD? Narcissism is not a symptom of BPD listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, as many as 40% of people with BPD may also have narcissistic personality disorder,4 so people with BPD may also show signs of narcissism.
Fear of Patients Lashing Out. Individuals with symptoms of BPD are particularly sensitive to perceived criticism. This increases the likelihood that they will feel attacked when a therapist attempts to offer suggestions or insights. This often leads to lashing out.
Compared to non-patients, BPD patients showed the anticipated higher crying frequency despite a similar crying proneness and ways of dealing with tears. They also reported less awareness of the influence of crying on others.
How is BPD diagnosed? If you think you may have BPD, a healthcare or mental health professional will conduct a psychological evaluation. This assessment generally involves an interview, multiple questionnaires, and taking a medical history.
Can you work with BPD? Many people who live with BPD have meaningful and successful careers in a wide range of industries. When it comes to borderline personality disorder and work, everyone's experience is different. For some people, their BPD symptoms can lead to challenges in the workplace.
Most individuals with borderline personality disorder achieve symptom remission. Encouragement is a key component to growing beyond borderline personality disorder. Knowledge is empowerment, especially when it's accurate.