Our society has made it normal to ‘spiritualize’ and criticise issues they don’t understand or aren’t familiar with. Circumstances that could have been handled through an open and honest discussion often leads to becoming very complicated situations. In most cases, we never know the extent to which some people have been affected until later in life.
This instance is true for persons with borderline personality disorders. People that society has called unnecessarily rude, violent, and darn annoying. “Something is wrong but let’s go for deliverance”; “It’s your mother’s ghost haunting you.”
The result is the denial of a challenge in need of a better solution because society doesn’t know any better or has deliberately chosen to accept other explanations and solutions. People who have this disorder don’t always realise it sooner. thinking it is part of their natural makeup and might get to blame others for the challenges they face. Since very few people talk about mental health and its effect, they have no one to explain to them what they’re going through.
These are issues a countless number of persons don’t even know about and the trend shouldn’t continue. Mental Health issues aren’t just people who have been confined to psychiatrist wards and are scribbling on the walls. Borderline Personality Disorder is one of many mental health concerns that cause distress to the people around the affected people.
Their mood swings, ferocious outbursts, irrational behaviours can honestly leave their loved ones feeling helpless, abused, and frustrated. Close friends who don’t know about BPD might just feel they’re being mean and inconsiderate. In an old Nollywood setting, they’re the perfect description of the boy everyone thinks is a cultist because of his frequent outbursts and scary mood swings.
The effect of BPD makes everyone around feel like they’re trapped in the same room with a cobra. Their impulsive nature poses a threat to everyone around including themselves. Little wonder why society finds it difficult to understand them. But that doesn’t count as an excuse. It’s not intentional on their part and that’s why it’s called a disorder.
So, Why?
That’s the big question; what is the actual cause? There is research suggesting it is a combination of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) at work, but there is no known exact cause. There is also the possibility due to negative experiences, family background, and brain structure. It doesn’t mean that these possibilities ultimately mean that one is going to have BPD.
There is Hope!!!
Having BPD or being around someone who does is hard and trying but with the right treatment and support, people with BPD can get better. Relationships can also become more fulfilling. Get help from a mental health professional. This can’t be overemphasised if you want a better quality of life with fewer symptoms. Psychotherapy (dialectical behaviour therapy and mentalization-based therapy) and medication are treatment options for persons with BPD.
Having BPD does affect different areas of life and this why treatment is very important. It is, however, not a death sentence as there are many people with BPD that are living a much-fulfilled life.
Reach out today, you can break the societal critics on how people perceive mental health issues. The public’s opinions of you aren’t valid. Remember, they criticise what they don’t understand. Don’t forget that Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) is here for you. Reach out to us on any of our social media platforms if you would like to talk to a counsellor.
-Praise