Brief Assessment
How old is Melahat?
21 years old.
What disorder best describes Melahat?
Borderline Personality Disorder.
What is the diagnosis?
301.83/F60.3 Borderline Personality Disorder.
Which area in the brain is overactive?
Amygdala.
First long-term goal?
Reduce self-harm and suicide.
What major life event caused her symptoms to worsen?
An abusive relationship and breakup.
Name one hallmark symptom.
Fear of abandonment, self-harm, identity disturbance.
Which P includes childhood neglect?
Predisposing
Which area in the brain regulates emotions?
Prefrontal cortex.
What is the gold-standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Name two adverse childhood experiences.
Emotional neglect, parental conflict, physical punishment, rejection, inconsistent caregiving.
Alternating idealization and devaluation reflects what?
Unstable interpersonal relationships.
Which P includes the breakup?
Precipitating.
Which neurotransmitter is linked to impulsivity?
Serotonin.
Name two Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills.
Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Name two life areas affected.
Academic, social, relationships, psychological well-being.
What feeling is reported continually?
Chronic emptiness.
Which P includes alcohol misuse?
Perpetuating.
What is the recommended medication?
Sertraline.
Which therapeutic approach is commonly used to address alcohol misuse in individuals with BPD?
Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Why is childhood important?
It contributed to insecure attachment and BPD.
Name five DSM-5-TR symptoms.
Self-harm, suicidality, impulsivity, anger, mood instability, etc.
Name two protective factors.
Help-seeking, insight, willingness to change.
Why isn't medication the first-line treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the first-line treatment as it targets core BPD symptoms like emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and self-harm. Medications manage co-occurring conditions or specific symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or mood instability, but do not treat BPD directly.
Why is a multidisciplinary approach important in treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
It coordinates medical, psychological, and social care to provide comprehensive treatment and improve outcomes.