Cycle 4 - Smarter Than BPD - Main Text Quiz

Understanding the Brain Differences and Physical Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

• BPD affects at least four regions of the brain, two of which initiate the fear response and are overly active (amygdala and hippocampus), while two others regulate the fear response and are underactive (anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortex).
• Individuals with BPD experience more intense emotions, particularly fear, and have difficulty regulating their feelings, resulting in impulsive reactions that are not suitable for the situation.
• Too much cortisol is released into the body, contributing to the feeling of being overwhelmed with emotions and causing wear and tear on the brain and body.
• Genetics and traumatic life experiences may worsen the effects of BPD, but how much each contributes is yet to be determined.
• The fight, flight, or freeze reactions vary in different people when the brain areas are overactive or underactive, leading to unwanted life events and cortisol levels continuing to build up in the bloodstream.
• The fight, flight, or freeze system constantly hijacking the body can lead to an imbalance in the body, making it more susceptible to illnesses and diseases.
• Symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing are common in individuals with BPD, and they may attribute them to other physical illnesses.
• Developing a solid awareness/mindfulness of the body and emotions is essential for maintaining balance and managing thoughts, emotions, and behavior in individuals with BPD.
• There are many ways to work on establishing better balance, with each person's "toolbox" becoming something unique to them and involving a combination of old and new skills/habits.
• Panic disorder is a common condition that individuals with BPD may develop.
• The functioning level of individuals with BPD may deteriorate due to their condition, but developing an understanding of their symptoms and learning how to manage them can lead to an improvement in their quality of life.
• Individuals with BPD may become conditioned to being unbalanced and experiencing many symptoms, even to the point of "just learning to live with" them.