Mental Health Archives - Suzanne Wallach

What Is The Most Difficult Disorder To Treat?

It would be impossible to suggest any single disorder is universally the most difficult to treat, as the effectiveness of treatment can vary widely depending on the individual, the severity of the disorder, and a range of other factors. However, some disorders are known to be more challenging to treat than others. Schizophrenia, for example, remains one of the more difficult psychiatric disorders to treat. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe neurological disorder that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by episodes in which the individual is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences.

Schizophrenia

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) explains that schizophrenia is “a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.” The distorted thinking patterns that present with schizophrenia can lead to disabling symptoms, as they can interfere with an individual’s ability to function in his or her daily life. The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person, but most commonly involve disorganized speech, visual and/ or auditory hallucinations, delusions, certain antisocial behavior patterns (e.g., involuntary movements, poor hygiene practices, catatonia, etc.), and an impaired ability to function appropriately.

Schizophrenia is estimated to affect 1.1 percent of the population, or approximately 2.8 million adults, in the United States aged 18 or older. Although its prevalence is relatively low when compared with other mental health disorders, schizophrenia is recognized as one of the most disabling diseases affecting humankind. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but long-term treatment can help an individual learn how to manage his or her symptoms and prevent the worsening of symptoms. However, treatment can be complicated as people with schizophrenia are often unaware that they have it. In any given year, an estimated 40 percent of individuals with the condition are untreated.

Anosognosia

People with schizophrenia commonly show signs of another condition called anosognosia. Anosognosia is defined as “a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.” This causes a person with schizophrenia to be incapable of recognizing that they present with its signs and symptoms, which leads them to believe that treatment would be unnecessary. Further, anosognosia can indirectly trigger schizophrenic delusions, which perpetuates an erroneous notion that those who appear to be helping them are instead attempting to inflict harm. Experts estimate that between 50% and 90% of people with schizophrenia also have anosognosia.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

Norman In Mental Health

The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) under the new category called Trauma- and Stressor- Related Disorders. Psychology Today explains that PTSD is a “mental health condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a distressing event involving the threat of death or extreme bodily harm.” According to the National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, of every 100 people nearly seven or eight will experience PTSD in their lifetime.

Risk Factors

Although anyone can develop PTSD at any age, research shows that some people are at greater risk than others for PTSD. Several factors have been found to increase the risk of developing PTSD, some of which include the following, provided by Verywell Mind:

Dissociation during or immediately after the traumatic event
Family history of psychopathology
High levels of emotion (e.g., fear, helplessness, horror, guilt, or shame) during or immediately after the traumatic event
History of prior trauma
Lacking social support after the traumatic event
Perceived life threat to self or others
Prior psychological adjustment problems

The leading cause of PTSD in the general population is motor vehicle accidents. Each year, millions of people are involved in car accidents. In 2020, approximately 2.3 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roads. According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, 39.2% of car accident survivors develop PTSD.

Signs and Symptoms

Each person with PTSD has the propensity to experience varying levels of severity of symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) divided the symptoms of PTSD into the following four categories:

Intrusion symptoms: The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):
1. Involuntary, upsetting memories
2. Distressing dreams
3. Flashbacks
4. Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
5. Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders
Avoidance: Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Avoiding people, places, activities, objects, and situations that may trigger distressing memories
2. Resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it
Alterations in cognition and mood: Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event
2. Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
3. Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
4. Negative affect
5. Decreased interest in activities
6. Ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
7. Feeling detached or estranged from others
8. Experiencing a void of happiness or satisfaction
Alterations in arousal and reactivity: Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Difficulty sleeping
2. Hypervigilance
3. Irritability or aggression
4. Difficulty concentrating
5. Risky or destructive behavior
6. Heightened startle reaction

As is outlined in the PTSD diagnostic criteria provided in the DSM-5, for a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, his or her symptoms must last for more than one month, must create distress or functional impairment, and must not be due to medication, substance use, or other illness.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Mental Health

Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness and is classified as a mood disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that bipolar disorder “causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” It is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable, neutral moods.

Nightmares & Night Terrors

A nightmare is defined as “a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc.” They are disturbing, well-remembered dreams. In those with bipolar disorder, researchers believe that nightmares may predict upcoming mood swings. People with bipolar disorder also commonly face night terrors. A night terror is not a dream, but rather an abrupt awakening accompanied by physical symptoms. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine explains that a person experiencing a night terror will suddenly begin to exhibit signs of panic and terror while sleeping (e.g., screaming, flailing, kicking, etc.) as well as other symptoms such as rapid heart rate and breathing, flushing of the skin, sweating, dilation of the pupils, and tensing of the muscles. During a night terror, an individual awakes in a state of confused and inconsolable terror, which they may or may recall in the morning.

Signs and Symptoms

According to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences three or more manic symptoms and five or more depressive symptoms. Examples of signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder could include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following, provided by the Mayo Clinic:

Signs and symptoms during a mania or hypomania state:

- - Increased energy
  - Euphoria
  - Agitation
  - Easily distractible
  - Decreased need for sleep
  - Excessive talkativeness
  - Lack of judgment
  - Atypically upbeat
  - Difficulties at work
  - Shift in social activities
  - Psychosis
  - Relationship challenges

Signs and symptoms of a major depressive episode:

Inability to experience pleasure or loss of interest in social activities
Irritability
Crying spells (frequent and random crying throughout the day)
Depressed mood
Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of energy
Shift in sleeping habits (either sleeping too much or experiencing insomnia)
Slowed behavior
Restlessness
Feelings of excessive guilt
Inability to think clearly
Indecisiveness
Suicidal ideations
Lack of energy
Shift in appetite resulting in drastic weight loss or weight gain

As is noted in both manic symptoms and depressive symptoms, is clear that disturbed sleep is common in people who have bipolar disorder. Still, the type of sleep disturbances that may occur typically depends on whether an individual is experiencing a manic or depressive episode.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Mental Health

What Does The Term ‘High-Functioning’ Bipolar Disorder Mean?

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression, is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable moods. According to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences three or more manic symptoms and five or more depressive symptoms. Bipolar disorder can develop at any age, but it is most diagnosed in individuals younger than age twenty-five. Bipolar disorder affects nearly 4.4% adults in America. A 2020 study suggests that nearly 23% of those with bipolar disorder could be considered high functioning.

High Functioning Bipolar Disorder

High functioning bipolar disorder (HFBD) is not an official clinical diagnosis. Further, there is no technical definition for the term “high-functioning” bipolar disorder, but HFBD generally refers to how well a person can deal with bipolar disorder and, in large part, mask its symptoms. Since people with bipolar disorder can experience both depression and mania simultaneously or consecutively, the same individual may appear highly productive (mania) as well as unproductive (depression) at different points in their lives.

It is important to note that although people with HFBD are able live their lives with less interference from the symptoms than a lot of other people with the same diagnosis, being labeled as high functioning has no bearing on the severity of their condition. The main difference between bipolar disorder and high functioning bipolar disorder is the person’s ability to perform under the demands of their symptoms. Most people with HFBD are highly adept at concealing their symptoms, contributing to the fact that it is not uncommon for their condition to go overlooked, undiagnosed, or untreated. The name “high functioning bipolar disorder” is both misleading and stigmatizing, which is why many now use the term “bipolar disorder with low support needs” in its place.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Anxiety, Mental Health

Postpartum Anxiety Is Invisible, But Common And Treatable

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It is the body’s natural response to stress and will manifest differently in everyone. Experiencing feelings of worry, fear, sadness, overwhelm, etc. after becoming a parent is to be expected, but when these symptoms persist and become debilitating it could be indicative of postpartum anxiety. Research findings indicate that anxiety disorders in pregnancy and the postpartum period are more prevalent than previously thought, with about 20.7% of women meeting diagnostic criteria for at least 1 anxiety disorder and 5.5% meeting criteria for at least 2 anxiety disorders. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that postpartum anxiety is reported to affect about 1 in 5 new or new again mothers, making it highly common.

Signs and Symptoms

The timeframe for postpartum anxiety is longer than many assume, as it can occur at any time within the first 12 months following childbirth. The Cleveland Clinic provide examples of common signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety some of which include:

Physical symptoms:

Disrupted sleep.

Increased heart rate or heart palpitations.

Nausea or stomach aches.

Being unable to breathe or feeling short of breath.

Loss of appetite.

Trouble sitting still.

Muscle tension.

Emotional symptoms:

Inability to relax or keep calm.

Racing thoughts, especially about worse-case scenarios.

Obsessing over irrational fears or things that are unlikely to happen.

Difficulty focusing or forgetfulness.

Irritability.

Feeling on edge or fearful.

Behavioral symptoms:

Avoiding certain activities, people, or places.

Being overly cautious about situations that are not dangerous.

Checking things repeatedly.

Being controlling.

Postpartum anxiety may interfere with a person’s ability to bond with their baby, which can negatively impact a baby’s mental and physical development. If left untreated, postpartum anxiety may lead to severe consequences such as infant neglect and, in extreme cases, infant death.

Treatment

The treatment options for postpartum anxiety reflect those used for other types of anxiety disorders. Medical News Today explains that the two main treatments for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy and medication. Further, it is becoming increasingly common to integrate traditional psychotherapeutic methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy (IPT), and more, along with holistic treatment modalities (e.g., meditation, aromatherapy, etc.) into postpartum mental health recovery plans. For some, integrating a combination of psychotherapy and medication may be recommended. The different types of medications prescribed for anxiety disorders include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). However, medication is not always needed, and for those breastfeeding it is prescribed with caution as medication can cross over from the bloodstream into breast milk and potentially harm a child who is breastfed. Anyone struggling with postpartum anxiety will require a nuanced treatment plan that carefully incorporates the best possible treatment methods specifically geared to each person’s distinct needs.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Mental Health

What’s The Relationship Between Memory Loss And Driving?

Driving is a complicated skill that can be easily impaired. People that drive are expected to be in good physical health as this skill relies on and requires the combined use of many brain systems. Harvard Medical School explains how the different areas of the brain are active and engaged while driving:

The visual-object system in your occipital and temporal lobes processes the images coming in from your eyes to enable you to distinguish cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
The visual-spatial system in your occipital and parietal lobes determines where cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are in the road, how fast they are moving, and anticipates where they will be in a few seconds.
The attention system in your parietal lobes and the auditory system in your superior temporal lobe keeps you alert to car horns and other signs of danger.
The decision-making system in your frontal lobes uses this visual, auditory, spatial, and motion information to determine how fast you should be going and whether you need to turn.
The motor system in your frontal lobes then translates these decisions into how hard your foot is pressing the pedals and whether your hands are turning the steering wheel.

The typical cognitive changes that occur with ageing can directly impact driving safety, and those with age-related ailments such as dementia can be particularly dangerous. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive functioning to such an extent that it interferes with one’s daily life. The National Institute on Aging asserts that the signs and symptoms of dementia occur as a result of healthy neurons in one’s brain ceasing to function properly, which prohibits them from connecting with other brain cells and subsequently die. In the most recent nationally representative study of cognitive impairment prevalence, researchers at Columbia University found that nearly 10% of U.S. adults ages 65 and older have dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The Mayo Clinic explains that “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die.” According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2022.

It is natural for people to lose neurons as they age, but those with Alzheimer’s disease experience a far greater loss that occurs more rapidly. One study that focused on driving and Alzheimer’s disease found that people with Alzheimer’s had an average of 0.09 car crashes per year, compared to 0.04 crashes in age-matched healthy adults. Another study found that individuals in the mild stages of dementia or those with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease had driving impairments like 16-to 20-year-old drivers. Therefore, the American Academy of Neurology developed and published guidelines to help clinicians distinguish at what point individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias should stop driving.

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Norman In Mental Health

Eating For Mental Wellness: Myths About Healthy Eating

Mental health refers to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Wellness is an active and dynamic process of change and growth to reach one’s fullest potential and strives to enhance overall well-being. According to The National Wellness Institute, wellness is a “process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence” by focusing on its eight dimensions. When it comes to food and nutrition, there are countless misconceptions, erroneous myths, and inaccurate messages that have circulated throughout time, including things related to:

Food Groups:
- Myth: Some groups of food are unhealthy or bad.
- False: Although all foods are not made equal, there is no objective standard to qualify any treat, food group, or nutrient as inherently bad.
Vitamin C:
- Myth: Vitamin C can keep you from catching a cold.
- False: Research has shown that vitamin C generally does not ward off colds.
Carrots
- Myth: Raw carrots are more nutritious than cooked carrots.
- False: Antioxidants may be enhanced when some vegetables are cooked, such as carrots. Researchers in a 2008 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found cooking carrots increases their nutritional value.
Eggs
- Myth: Eggs should be avoided because of their cholesterol content.
- False: In a 2018 study in the journal Nutrients, researchers found eggs do not contribute to high cholesterol. In fact, eggs are an inexpensive source of many nutrients, including zinc and iron, antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin D, and the brain-boosting chemical choline. Further, the American Heart Association says one whole egg or two egg whites a day can be part of a healthy diet.
Carbohydrates
- Myth: Cutting carbohydrates from your diet improves your health.
- False: Integrating healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, is essential to your overall well-being. Several studies, including a 2016 study in the British Medical Journal, show that people who eat whole grains have 20 to 30 percent less heart disease, and researchers further concluded that an increased intake of whole grains is associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases and premature mortality.

Common food myths can greatly influence the habits and patterns one develops surrounding healthy eating and nutrition. Eating is a fundamental necessity of life, and even a minor nutrition deficit can have a significant effect on your physical health and mental wellness.

Treatment In Calabasas

Rahul In Eating Disorders, Mental Health

Is Obesity An Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that are characterized by abnormal, irregular eating habits, and an extreme concern with one’s body weight or shape. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) includes several different types of eating disorders, all of which are categorized under the Disorder Class: Feeding and Eating Disorders. While obesity and eating disorders are linked, it would be inaccurate to claim they are one and the same. One publication asserts that “obesity is a heterogeneous condition with a complex and incompletely understood etiology, and thus cannot be considered a mental disorder per se.” Hence, most medical experts do not label obesity as an eating disorder, nor is it included in the DSM-5.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity is essentially an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to one’s health. Harvard Health explains that the healthy range for body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 and 24.9, overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. Obesity is associated with serious health problems (e.g., diabetes, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, colorectal cancer, etc.). Although it is not recognized as an eating disorder, obesity accounts for far more morbidity and mortality than all the eating disorders combined because it is much more prevalent. More than 30% of Americans are obese, compared with the 4% of Americans who meet criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, according to the American Psychological Association. This issue continues to rise and has reached epidemic proportions, as over the past five years, the obesity rate among adults aged 18 and older in the United States has increased an annualized 1.8%, amounting to 33 people per 100 individuals. An estimated 300,000 deaths per year are due to the obesity epidemic, which makes it the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

There are many factors that can play a role in the development of obesity, such as genetic influences, caloric intake, exercise, stress and more. Obesity is a common comorbidity (i.e., the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions) of certain eating disorders. Those who struggle with obesity, for example, may also struggle with anorexia as a method of controlling one’s food intake in the hopes of weight loss. Research indicates that “there is a significant co-occurrence of eating disorders, particularly binge eating disorder, in individuals with higher BMI.” Obesity and eating disorders are each associated with severe physical and mental health consequences, and individuals with obesity as well as comorbid eating disorders are at greater risk of these than individuals with either condition alone. Both obesity and eating disorders require medical intervention.

Rahul In Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Mental Health

What Are The Symptoms Of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic, mental health disorder. It is a complex psychological condition that is characterized by pervasive instability in moods, emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships which interfere with one’s ability to function in everyday life. It can be difficult to determine who will develop borderline personality disorder as the cause of BPD remains unknown. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) alludes to research that “suggests that genetics, brain structure and function, and environmental, cultural, and social factors play a role, or may increase the risk for developing borderline personality disorder.” BPD typically develops in early adulthood, often with more severe symptoms occurring in the early stages of onset.

Symptoms & Diagnostic Criteria

Borderline personality disorder directly affects how one feels about him or herself, one’s behavior as well as how an individual can relate to others. It is not uncommon for people with BPD to feel extremely intense emotions for extended periods of time. This makes returning to a stable emotional baseline far more challenging, especially after experiencing an emotionally triggering event. According to the DSM-5 key signs and symptoms of BPD may include:

Unstable personal relationships that alternate between idealization and devaluation, sometimes referred to as splitting

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by family and friends

Impulsive behaviors resulting in dangerous outcomes (e.g., engaging in unsafe sex, reckless driving, abuse of drugs, etc.)

Distorted and unstable self-image, affecting one’s moods, relationships, goals, values, and/ or opinions

Self-harming behavior (e.g., suicidal threats)

Chronic feelings of emptiness and/ or boredom

Periods of intense depressed mood, irritability and/ or anxiety lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days long

Dissociative feelings

Intense, inappropriate, and/ or uncontrollable anger, typically followed by feelings of guilt and/ or shame

More specifically, the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, indicates that to be clinically diagnosed with BPD an individual must experience five or more of the following symptoms, in a variety of contexts,:

Emotional instability
Feelings of emptiness
Efforts to avoid abandonment
Impulsive behaviors
Identity disturbances
Inappropriate, irrational and/ or intense bouts of anger
Transient paranoid and/ or dissociative symptoms
Unstable interpersonal relationships
Suicidal and/ or self-harming behaviors

Due to the quick changing nature of signs and symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder, it is notoriously known as a difficult to diagnose illness. The treatment for BPD often includes long-term participation in psychodynamic models of psychotherapy such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT was developed by Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s, as a means to more effectively treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy that combines techniques from western cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psycho-educational modules, and eastern mindfulness-based practices to foster the systematic learning of new emotional coping skills. Since its inception, dialectical behavior therapy has been and remains the gold standard method of treatment for individuals diagnosed with BPD.

Rahul In Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Mental Health

Main Cause Of Borderline Personality Disorder?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) list ten standalone personality disorders based on similar characteristics, and each personality disorder is grouped into one of three categories (cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C). Borderline personality disorder (BPD) belongs to cluster B, which according to the Mayo Clinic are “characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior.” More specifically BPD is characterized by “a pervasive pattern of instability and hypersensitivity in interpersonal relationships, instability in self-image, extreme mood fluctuations, and impulsivity.” The symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder can pervasively interfere with an individual’s ability to function optimally in his or her daily life. Most commonly, BPD develops in early adulthood, often with more severe symptoms occurring in the early stages of onset

BPD Triggers & Risk Factors

A trigger, in the context of BPD typically refers to something that precipitates the exacerbation of one’s BPD symptoms. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains “triggers are external events or circumstances that may produce very uncomfortable emotional or psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, panic, discouragement, despair, or negative self-talk.” While BPD triggers can vary from person to person, there are some types of triggers that are more common in BPD, such as the following examples:

Perceived or real abandonment
Rejection of any kind
Loss of a job
Locations that invoke negative memories
Reminders of traumatic events
Ending a relationship

Many borderline personality disorder triggers arise from interpersonal distress. When it comes to understanding the specific cause of this disease, there is no solitary scientific reason behind why an individual develops borderline personality disorder. Rather there are several contributing factors that have been recognized as possibly playing a role in its development, potentially increasing one’s susceptibility to BPD. These factors may include, but are not limited to the following, provided by the National Institute of Mental Health:

Genetics: people with a family history (e.g., parent, sibling, etc.) with BPD may be at increased risk of developing borderline personality disorder. Psychology Today assert that BPD is approximately five times more common among people with close biological relatives with BPD.
Environmental factors: growing up in an unstable, neglectful, and/ or abusive environment could increase one’s risk for developing BPD.
Brain factors: some studies have indicated that individuals diagnosed with BPD have structural and/ or functional abnormalities, specifically in the areas of the brain that reign emotional regulation and impulse control. Furthermore, deviations from typical serotonin (hormone that works to stabilize one’s mood, happiness, and feelings of well-being) production could increase one’s vulnerability to BPD.

Although the above factors may contribute to the development of BPD, exposure to one or more risk factors does not indicate an individual will inevitably to go on to develop borderline personality disorder. Since the root of borderline personality disorder remains unknown, it is impossible to isolate a single cause that accurately and universally explains its development.

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Mental Health

What Is The Most Difficult Disorder To Treat?

Schizophrenia

Anosognosia

Treatment In Calabasas

The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Risk Factors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Nightmares & Night Terrors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

What Does The Term ‘High-Functioning’ Bipolar Disorder Mean?

High Functioning Bipolar Disorder

Treatment In Calabasas

What’s The Relationship Between Memory Loss And Driving?

Alzheimer’s Disease

Treatment In Calabasas

Eating For Mental Wellness: Myths About Healthy Eating

Treatment In Calabasas

Is Obesity An Eating Disorder?

What Is Obesity?

What Are The Symptoms Of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Symptoms & Diagnostic Criteria

Main Cause Of Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD Triggers & Risk Factors

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