Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been shown to affect nearly 4 million people in the United States alone; estimates show that 75% of individuals diagnosed with BPD are women, making women a key population of interest when it comes to this particular mental illness. People with BPD often experience varying mood swings, unstable self-image, feelings of worthlessness or insecurity, impaired social relationships, and more. Typically beginning during adolescence or early adulthood, symptoms of BPD can cause significant challenges in daily life. Recent research has been aimed at discovering more closely the emergency of BPD, and the latest findings reveal an unexpected area for women: the menstrual cycle.
A 2018 study published in the journal Psychological Medicine and conducted by researchers from Chicago involved the analysis of 15 healthy, unmedicated females diagnosed with BPD over a period of 35 days; researchers recorded their symptoms to see if any patterns were revealed. What the researchers found was that symptoms of BPD were heightened the week before and during a female’s menstrual cycle – which can have significant effects on suicidal ideation. Assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago Tory Eisenlohr-Moul stated, “…People with borderline personality disorder are at a high risk of suicide, so anything that can help patients and clinicians reliably predict changes in their symptoms is very useful.”
Researchers hypothesize that women with BPD are more sensitive to hormonal changes, which could provide reasoning as to why a woman with BPD would experience more severe symptoms leading up to a during her menstrual cycle. However, this new finding could provide a lot of support to healthcare teams seeking to reach out to adolescents, young adults, and women with BPD for preventative measures. Eisenlohr-Moul also stated, “When [estrogen and progesterone] drop so precipitously around menses, it’s not surprising that some women with trouble regulating mood and emotions have an even harder time.”
If you’ve been diagnosed with BPD, treatment is available, and recovery is possible. Speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today to learn more about treatment options.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
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