Post by Mea on Dec 16, 2015 8:45:46 GMT
Despite mainly being diagnosed in adulthood, BPD can show signs in adolescence and even childhood. While many professionals tend to disregard the possibility of a diagnosis in minors, it’s actually even more important to address symptoms as soon as possible in hopes of preventing the symptoms from developing further and making life harder for the potential borderline patient.
Ultimately, BPD develops alongside the human personality, so professionals are hesitant to make the call until a person’s personality is fully developed, so between the ages of 18-21. (I disagree and think for personality it’s more 25-27, but I digress.) However, like personality traits, BPD traits can be present for the entirety of someone’s life. Many adults with BPD can recall having certain traits as early as five years old.
More or less, it’s not called a “personality disorder” because there’s something wrong with your personality, but because it develops alongside your personality. You always have a personality, but your personality doesn’t really “blossom” so to speak until early adulthood, which is when the diagnosis for a personality disorder is usually made. Personality disorders work the same way. They are almost always present, but they don’t normally make their presence known or even fully develop until early adulthood, although it varies depending on the individual.
However, one does not need a diagnosis in order to get treatment for symptoms. If you are a minor and suspect you have BPD or are displaying borderline symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment for those symptoms. You do not need a label to benefit from BPD treatment, such as DBT skills and other forms of therapy. The sooner you get treatment, the easier it will be once you hit adulthood, when BPD reaches it’s peak. (BPD Is suspected to be at its worst between the ages of 20 and 25, although it can vary depending on the individual.)
Ultimately, BPD develops alongside the human personality, so professionals are hesitant to make the call until a person’s personality is fully developed, so between the ages of 18-21. (I disagree and think for personality it’s more 25-27, but I digress.) However, like personality traits, BPD traits can be present for the entirety of someone’s life. Many adults with BPD can recall having certain traits as early as five years old.
More or less, it’s not called a “personality disorder” because there’s something wrong with your personality, but because it develops alongside your personality. You always have a personality, but your personality doesn’t really “blossom” so to speak until early adulthood, which is when the diagnosis for a personality disorder is usually made. Personality disorders work the same way. They are almost always present, but they don’t normally make their presence known or even fully develop until early adulthood, although it varies depending on the individual.
However, one does not need a diagnosis in order to get treatment for symptoms. If you are a minor and suspect you have BPD or are displaying borderline symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment for those symptoms. You do not need a label to benefit from BPD treatment, such as DBT skills and other forms of therapy. The sooner you get treatment, the easier it will be once you hit adulthood, when BPD reaches it’s peak. (BPD Is suspected to be at its worst between the ages of 20 and 25, although it can vary depending on the individual.)
