Borderline Personality Disorder:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, as well as marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5.
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., promiscuous sex, eating disorders, binge eating, substance abuse, reckless driving). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5.
5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats or self-injuring behavior such as cutting, interfering with the healing of scars (excoriation) or picking at oneself.
6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness
8. Inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation, delusions or severe dissociative symptoms
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM IV-TR)
In some cases, BPD is characterized by uncontrollable episodes which occur in increasing frequency. These often physical displays of temper escalate in both intensity and seriousness and are often unprovoked or provoked by hallucinations, delusions, etc. Medication is rarely prescribed solely for BPD.
This is not so much a story as a view into the way undiagnosed BPD can destroy lives. It follows Edward and Bella from the very beginning, but focuses more on characterization than anything else. Updates will be frequent, as I have all but one or two poem/drabbles written. Keep an open mind as you read- this particular style of telling a story is probably different than a lot of the stuff you read on here.
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Clarissa.