BPD Awareness Month- Day 15: A Previous Type of Borderline?

In a previous BPD Awareness Month post (BPD Awareness Month- Day 6: A Brief History of Borderline Personality Disorder) I mentioned that BPD, as we know it, was not an illness until 1980. Psychology textbooks and past DSM’s still listed disorders that helped create the current BPD diagnosis.

I have an Abnormal Psychology textbook from 1972 which included two disorders that I felt possibly played a role on creating BPD: Cyclothymic Personality and Emotionally Unstable Personality (under DSM I).

I also found another personality, in the same 1972 psychology book, under Recent Classification of Personality Disorders (under DSM II): Explosive Personality (Epileptoid Personality Disorder).

Explosive personality is characterized by gross outbursts of rage, including both verbal and physical aggressiveness. These outbursts are strikingly different from the individual’s usual behaviour, and he often regrets them after they are over. These individuals are generally excitable, aggressive, and overresponsive to environmental pressures. The intensity of the outbursts and the individual’s inability to control them distinguish this group. Cases diagnosed as “aggressive personality” are classified in this grouping.  If the patient is amnesic (loss of memory) for the outbursts, diagnoses such as hysterical neurosis, nonpsychotic organic brain syndrome with epilepsy, or psychosis with epilepsy should be considered.

Jaen Wirefly, today, posted about another possible new BPD name: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

I like the mystery behind Borderline. It keeps me safe and allows me to explain in my own words what I feel I’m all about. This is something many other disorders do not have.

(Abnormal Psychology: Changing Conception by Melvin Zax and Emory L. Cowen)

“Back From the Edge” – Borderline Personality Disorder

Posted originally by Jaen Wirefly!

It is Day 3 of BPD Awareness Month and this video on BPD is fantastic!

It’s so fantastic that I’m close to tears because I can relate way too much!

The emotions of BPD are exhausting and painful. We do our best and always remember that what makes us hate so much also makes us love so much. And love is good

Please take the time to watch the whole thing or watch a little of the video.  Many need to learn more about BPD.

“Back From the Edge” – Borderline Personality Disorder.