Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Borderline Personality Disorder) that could possibly cause Borderline Personality Disorder includes:
Article excerpts about the
causes of Borderline Personality Disorder:
Although the cause of BPD is unknown, both environmental and genetic
factors are thought to play a role in predisposing patients to BPD
symptoms and traits. Studies show that many, but not all individuals with
BPD report a history of abuse, neglect, or separation as young
children.8 Forty to 71
percent of BPD patients report having been sexually abused, usually by a
non-caregiver.9 Researchers
believe that BPD results from a combination of individual vulnerability to
environmental stress, neglect or abuse as young children, and a series of
events that trigger the onset of the disorder as young adults. Adults with
BPD are also considerably more likely to be the victim of violence,
including rape and other crimes. This may result from both harmful
environments as well as impulsivity and poor judgement in choosing
partners and lifestyles. (Source: excerpt from Borderline Personality Disorder: NIMH)
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Borderline Personality Disorder may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Delusional disorders of later life strongly suggest a hereditary predisposition. At least one study has linked the development of delusional disorders to inferiority feelings in the family. Some researchers suggest that delusional disorders are the product of specific early childhood experiences with an authoritarian family structure. Others hold that anyone with a sensitive personality is particularly vulnerable to developing a delusional disorder.
Certain medical conditions — head injury, chronic alcoholism, and deafness — and aging are known to increase the risks of delusional disorders. Predisposing factors linked to aging include isolation, lack of stimulating interpersonal relationships, physical illness, and impaired hearing and vision. In addition, severe stress (such as a move to a foreign country) may precipitate a delusional disorder.
Delusional disorders commonly begin in middle or late adulthood, usually between ages 40 and 55, but they can occur at a younger age. These uncommon illnesses affect less than 1% of the population; the incidence is about equal in men and women.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Various theories attempt to explain the origin of personality disorders. Genetic factors influence the biological basis of brain function as well as basic personality structure. In turn, personality structure affects how a person responds to life experiences and interacts with the social environment. Over time, each person develops distinctive ways of perceiving the world and of feeling, thinking, and behaving.
Some researchers suspect that poor regulation of the areas controlling emotion within the brain increases the risk of a personality disorder, especially when combined with such factors as abuse, neglect, or separation. For a biologically predisposed person, the major developmental challenges of adolescence and early adulthood may trigger a personality disorder.
Social theories hold that disorders reflect learned responses, having much to do with reinforcement, modeling, and aversive stimuli as contributing factors. According to psychodynamic theories, personality disorders reflect deficiencies in ego and superego development and are related to poor mother-child relationships characterized by unresponsiveness, overprotectiveness, or early separation.
Personality disorders are common and affect 10% to 15% of the population in the United States. Gender influences presence; for example, antisocial and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders are more common in men, whereas borderline, dependent, and histrionic personality disorders are more prevalent in women.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Delusional disorders of later life strongly suggest a hereditary predisposition. At least one study has linked the development of delusional disorders to inferiority feelings in the family.
Some researchers suggest that delusional disorders are the product of specific early childhood experiences with an authoritarian family structure. Others hold that anyone with a sensitive personality is particularly vulnerable to developing a delusional disorder.
Certain medical conditions — head injury, chronic alcoholism, and deafness — and aging are known to increase the risk for delusional disorders. Predisposing factors linked to aging include isolation, lack of stimulating interpersonal relationships, physical illness, and impaired hearing and vision.
Severe stress (such as a move to a foreign country) may also precipitate a delusional disorder.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Only recently have personality disorders been categorized in detail, and research continues to identify their causes. Various theories attempt to explain the origin of personality disorders.
❑ Biological theories hold that these disorders may stem from chromosomal and neuronal abnormalities or head trauma.
❑ Social theories hold that the disorders reflect learned responses, having much to do with reinforcement, modeling, and aversive stimuli as contributing factors.
❑ Psychodynamic theories hold that personality disorders reflect deficiencies in ego and superego development and are related to poor mother-child relationships that are characterized by unresponsiveness, overprotectiveness, or early separation.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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