Borderline Personality Disorder In Nursing

Mental health is a portion of healthcare that not too many people know about. Although it’s not as hands on as other nursing fields, it is equally as important. Mental health cases are just as prevalent, if not more, than other nursing cases. The side effects of mental health cases are rapidly growing too. Borderline personality disorder or BPD is the topic of this paper and its main focus is to instruct the reader about the entirety of the disorder as well as treatment plans and patient education.

Borderline Personality Disorder

During nursing school, we learn a lot about physical conditions that affect people. In clinicals, the majority of our time is spent in a hospital setting. It is important for student nurses to learn about all things

They can either affect your health, finances, or relations with other people. WebMD has an article stating various complications of BPD. The list is fairly long but it goes to show that this disorder could have consequences.

A huge complication associated with BPD would be with inconsistent work stability. People who suffer with BPD have inconsistent moods and can be fairly unpredictable. Being in a workplace calls for stability and employers don’t normally tolerate vast changes in mood and attitude. If someone is fired it could cause a snowball effect. Depression could manifest in their life. Suicidal thoughts could be present. These are just some of the things that could add up in any given situation for a person with BPD. Individuals may take up cutting or any other form of self-injury. Frequent hospitalizations may occur. If symptoms listed above occur frequently, it may be best to visit the doctor.

Diagnostic Tests

It is very difficult to differentiate a personality from a disorder in a clinic. The history of that patient will be looked at thoroughly to try and discern different markers for BPD. A mental health professional leads the interview and delves into the patient’s history. They are highly trained to recognize signs and symptoms of BPD and make a decision on the diagnosis of that patient. There isn’t a clear cut lab test for diagnosing BPD because it is a mental

The Encyclopedic Dictionary of psychology states “It is accepted that psychological treatment may have to be long-term” (2006). There isn’t a drug specifically designed to treat BPD but there are multiple drugs that can help with the manifestations of BPD. Antidepressants can be used as well as antipsychotics. Medications are given but health care providers encourage patients to incorporate therapy as well with their treatment. In 2013, three authors came together to write a book titled “Borderline Personality Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed”. This book is a must read for anyone diagnosed with BPD. In the book, it lists “There are several different types of antipsychotics, but the most common medications in the newer generation include aripiprazole (Abilify), clozapine (Clozaril), loxapine (Loxitane), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and sertindole (Serlect)”(2013). Antipsychotics may sound bad because the word psychotic may make people think they are for lack of better terms, psychotic. The people who take these meds need to realize that this medication can help them