Jordan meets six of the nine criterions for BPD exceeding the minimum of five required criterions necessary to make a diagnosis, consequently the writer came to the conclusion that Jordan suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder (see table 2.3). Jordan exhibited behaviours aimed at avoiding real or imagined abandonment (Criterion 1), such as continuously screaming despite a realistic time-limited separation, these behaviours are considered as frantic, intense, powerful, and extreme. Jordan’s interpersonal relationships are unstable and intense, and seemingly characterized by alternating extremes of idealization (terrified of being without her mother) and devaluation (leaving home in a fit of rage) (Criterion 2). Jordan’s parents stated …show more content…
DDMD is a newly defined depressive disorder. Due to Jordan’s early age of onset and longstanding course of documented behaviour she may be diagnosed with BPD. Due to the co-morbidity of BPD and depressive mood disorder’s Jordan’ alternative diagnosis is DDMD due to the fact that she also meets the criteria as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. 645). 2.5 Social and cultural considerations Identity problems of adolescents and young adults with identity problems, especially when accompanied by substance abuse, may momentarily display behaviour that misleadingly give the impression of BPD. In these situations the following characteristics are present: emotional instability, existential dilemmas, and anxiety-provoking choices, conflicts about sexual orientation and identity, and competing social pressure to decide on a career (APA, 2013, pp. 665- 666). 2.6 Prevalence and …show more content…
The risk factors of BPD is summarised by Freeman, Stone, Martin, and Reinecke (2005, p. 3) as stemming from the interaction of genetic, biological, social, and psychological factors. According to the Clinician Research centre the etiology of BPD is generally considered as the product of complex interactions among multiple factors, namely: genetic, neurochemical, neuroanatomical, and psychological factors (Borderline Personality Disorder Clinician Resource Centre, 2012). 2.7.1 Genetic It is suggested that BPD runs in families, based on the study of biological relatives of people with BPD. Freeman et alia (2005, p. 4) proposed the following genetic risk factors associated with vulnerability to BPD: Familial history of depression, impulse control disorder, substance abuse The DSM 5 states that BPD is about five times more common among first-degree relatives of those with the disorder (Borderline Personality Disorder Clinician Resource Centre, 2012). 2.7.2 Neurochemical According to the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinician Resource Centre (2012) there is evidence of neurochemical vulnerability in people with BPD, especially with regard to the following neurotransmitters: serotonin (low levels are associated with increased levels of aggression and impulsivity) and norepinephrine