The Deadliest Mental Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder is the most fatal mental disorder in the DSM-5. The difference between life and death could be a mental health professional who is knowledgeable in BPD and its treatments. To better understand what BPD is and how to treat it, it’s paramount to know how the diagnosis of BPD came about and how it originated from the diagnosis of psychosis and neurosis. Mental health professionals also need to be educated in personality disorders as a whole and what symptoms meet the criteria for a personality disorder. The DSM-5-TR is an excellent resource for those in the mental health profession as it gives information and criteria for mental disorders. They can use the DSM-5-TR as a reference for what borderline personality disorder is and how to diagnose the disorder. In the diagnosis of BPD, there are 9 criteria, and an individual needs to show 5 of the 9 to be eligible for a diagnosis of BPD. When researching the causes of borderline personality disorder, we can see how the development of BPD progresses and how mental health professionals can gear treatment towards the individual. Once a diagnosis of BPD is established, psychotherapy treatment can begin, and those with BPD can begin their journey to a healthier life. Lastly, by bringing awareness to the stigma that those with BPD face, we can begin to dismantle the barriers facing those seeking treatment. This research concludes that the awareness and education of borderline personality is necessary for those in the mental health profession.

Keywords: borderline personality disorder, personality disorders, mental health, psychosis, neurosis, the borderline group, BPD treatment, BPD stigma

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2025

Senior Project Advisor

Dr. Scott Douglas

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Human Services

Document Type

Thesis

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