There truly is a great info in this article.  I give no argument to that.  However I have one simply request:  If you are here it is a fair guess to say you have Borderline Personality Disorder.  Or maybe a loved on has it.  If that is the case, please take some time and look around this site.  This blog is filled with great information for those with BPD and those who love them.  It is my honor to have you here and I hope you                                               enjoy your stay, whether it be 5 minutes or you come back day after day.

Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is considered a disorder of emotional regulation. Adults who suffer from borderline personality disorder or BPD, have severe issues with self-image, identity, controlling their moods and leading an everyday life with family and at work. BPD is thought to affect 2% of adults, and the majority of patients are female. Some doctors believe that patients first exhibit signs as teenagers, and because BPD is such a serious condition, it is best to identity the symptoms early. Below are the top 10 signs that your teen may be experiencing signs of borderline personality disorder, and that you should visit your doctor for an official diagnosis.

1. They experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment as a young child. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 40-71% of patients were sexually abused as children.
2. Intense mood swings happen constantly. If you suspect that your child is depressed, he or she will exhibit a similar set of symptoms for weeks or months at a time. Patients with BPD suffer intense mood swings covering all kinds of emotions every few hours.
3. They harm themselves. Self-injury is a common trait of people with BPD. They may cut themselves in an effort to deal with intense stress, anger, or just impulsive, intense feelings
4. Drug or alcohol abuse. Sudden drug or alcohol abuse can also be a sign of developing BPD.
5. Changes in long-term plans. Individuals with BPD may feel ambitious and optimistic at one time, making plans to attend college or start a new career, before suddenly abandoning those plans and feeling like they have no goals or prospects.
6. They can’t stand to be alone. When a person with BPD feels like he or she has no support group, they may lash out by self-injury, drug abuse, or feeling negative and worthless.
7. They find it difficult to maintain serious relationships. People with BPD find it difficult to feel attached to a person they love when that person is absent, making them feel guilty and worthless. Another sign of BPD is a person’s sudden switch from feeling loving and admiring of another person, to hateful or uninterested.
8. Excessive spending. Impulsive behaviors like excessive spending can point to BPD.
9. They suffer from another mental illness. BPD is thought to develop in conjunction with anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, or depression.
10. They feel like no one understands them. While people with BPD feel like they need a support system on which to depend, they may also feel intensely alone and like no one understands them.

This post was contributed by Amber Hensley. She welcomes your feedback at AmberHensley1980@ yahoo.com