Borderline personality disorder BPD in pregnancy can develop more severe symptoms. It affects how you think and makes you more reactive.
BPD is a mental health condition that makes you find it difficult to control your feelings and emotions. Women often avoid its symptoms, but it may get worse during pregnancy and put the health of a mother and child at risk.
Let’s get into the details.
Table of Contents
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder BPD is a type of personality disorder that involves self-image issues and mood changes with more reactive behavior. It makes an affected person develop complicated relationships with the loved ones around them. A report revealed that 75% of diagnosed people were women. The symptoms in females can get worse when they get pregnant. It includes self-harm and suicidal thoughts that can be dangerous and life-risking.
BPD in Pregnancy
Women who are living with border personality disorder BPD may experience more challenging daily life activities. They feel fear while being alone and also become more reactive which leads to unstable relationships. But during pregnancy, more severe symptoms appear. It may also affect the physical health of the mother and baby. It can increase the risk of the following conditions:
- Cesarean section
- Preterm birth
- Gestational diabetes
- Venous thromboembolism
- Premature rupture of the membranes
- Chorioamnionitis
What are the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?
Most people do not identify that they are suffering from BPD. The following symptoms can help you learn if you have developed this mental health condition.
- Feeling emptiness for a long term
- Start to have suicidal thoughts
- Unstable self-image
- Self-harming behavior
- Uncontrolled anger issues
- Feeling disassociated from your body
- Trust issues with others and fear of other people’s intention
- Wide mood swings last for days or hours
- Having physical fights
- Rapid changes in seeing yourself as bad
- Changes in behavior and more risky activities, such as reckless driving, drug abuse, leaving a relationship, binge eating, etc.
Some of these symptoms may overlap with other mental health conditions. But you need to make sure about it and get help from a mental health professional.
What are the Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder?
There is more research required to find the direct causes of BPD. Some of the factors that can contribute to developing BPD in people, such as:
Environmental Factors
People who have had any childhood trauma and later find an ongoing stressful environment are at risk of developing BPD.
Genetics
Any relative or close family member who has developed BPD can increase your risk of developing the cause of BPD. But more research can help how it is associated with genes.
Brain Function Structure Changes
Researchers claim that changes in brain function structures can lead to a high risk of developing BPD. It can make it difficult to control emotions.
How to Diagnose BPD?
It may be difficult to identify if you have been suffering from BPD. Your family doctor can refer you to a mental health expert for proper treatment. Your doctor will have a detailed interview and psychological evaluation. Your medical history is also required along with the signs and symptoms that you have been experiencing.
What are the Treatments for BPD?
When your mental health professional diagnoses the BPD, you will be treated with multiple treatment plans if the symptoms are severe. Experts from Hameed Latif Hospital say that talk therapy is the most common treatment for BPD. During pregnancy, doctors do not suggest the use of medicines as some may affect baby growth.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy has different types, such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT
Having CBT can aid in identifying and changing behaviors and self-image perceptions. This therapy helps to help you think and react positively.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy DBT
During DBT, you learn to manage the behaviors and how to be aware of beliefs. It aids in better management of behaviors.
Schema-focused Therapy
This therapy session makes you see things positively and also shows you a positive perspective of yourself.
Medicines
Sometimes, people with more severe cases need a combination of treatments. Your doctor may prescribe you some medicines to control the symptoms, such as aggressive behavior, anxiety, stress, depression, etc.
Hospitalization
People with suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors need to be hospitalized for the proper treatment.
Take Care of Yourself…
Women are more likely to develop borderline personality disorder than men. During pregnancy, the symptoms may become more severe and can also affect the baby’s health. BPD in pregnancy increases the high risk of gestational diabetes and premature birth.
You should not avoid the symptoms and consult Dr. Hafiz M.Imtiaz Afzal to get proper treatment.
