In 2008, May was designated Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month by the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.
The purpose of this designation was to raise awareness of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and make advances in research that could help alleviate the symptoms of BPD. Though BPD has been recognized as a disorder in the mental health community since 1980, other psychiatric disorders have been afforded more research, treatment options and family education.
Facts about BPD
In honor of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month, here are some things you should know about the disorder:
- More than 3 million Americans are diagnosed with BPD
- More women than men are diagnosed with BPD
- Symptoms of BPD include mood swings, self-harm, rage, impulsivity, chaotic relationships and fear of abandonment
- People diagnosed with BPD commit suicide at 400 times the rate of the general public
- BPD accounts for about 20 percent of hospitalizations for a psychiatric disorder
- BPD is more common than schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Take time this month to learn about Borderline Personality Disorder. If you or someone you love suffers from BPD, seeking BPD treatment will be important to helping manage the symptoms of the disorder and making a recovery from BPD possible.
