Anxiety, irritability, impulsive or even suicidal behavior characterize so-called “borderline” adolescents. A disorder whose diagnosis made in time allows better management.
- Borderline personality disorder in adolescents is characterized by changes in mood and behavior
- The diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make
- Management can be based on psychotherapy or treatment with antidepressants or anxiolytics
Health professionals are sometimes hesitant to diagnose borderline personality disorder in adolescents. In Journal of Abnormal Child Psychologypsychologist Carla Sharp explains their fears: according to her, they think it’s a “sadness of dead” for these people, because of the lack of dedicated treatment. According to this specialist, it is however important to make the diagnosis early enough.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by changes in mood, self-image, and behavior. Concretely, it can manifest itself in intense emotional crises, which last from several hours to several days, marked by anxiety or irritability. Affected individuals may be impulsive and have difficulty controlling their anger. Dark thoughts or even suicidal behavior are also frequent, and this is the main risk for patients. According to Carla Sharp, 10% of people with borderline personality disorder commit suicide.
Psychotherapy: an essential treatment
There is no drug treatment specific to borderline disorder, on the other hand, some can reduce the symptoms: antidepressants, anxiolytics or neuroleptics. Psychotherapy is one of the mainstays of the management of this disorder. “The majority of people get better and have an improvement in symptoms with a well-conducted psychiatric or psychological follow-up”indicates a document from the Toulouse University Hospital dedicated to this pathology.
Treat to prevent dangerous behaviors
“Like adults, adolescents with borderline personality disorder do not seem to be as resistant to treatment as previously believed.“, emphasizes the scientist from the University of Houston. According to her, early care is essential in adolescents. “Borderline personality disorder is a leading cause of suicidal behavior and self-harm in young people“In her study, carried out with 500 adolescents, she finds that the treatment helps to reduce the symptoms.”This sends a message to healthcare professionals: ‘don’t be an ostrich!’, if the pathology is present, diagnose it, and treat it with your best treatments.“, insists Carla Sharp.
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