Description

In this talk, Dr. Brañas discusses how research on borderline personality disorder (BPD) in youth has advanced significantly, yet misconceptions about adolescent BPD remain widespread, even among health professionals. This lecture addresses ten common myths about adolescent BPD, including its diagnosis during adolescence, the role of trauma and adversity, and prognosis, among other relevant topics. Key questions include: “Since adolescents are naturally emotionally unstable, how can we confidently diagnose BPD in this group?”; “Is it more prevalent in females?”; and “Could other disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety, better explain the symptoms?” The discussion also examines strategies for addressing stigma and review effective treatments. By dispelling these myths, the lecture aims to foster a more accurate understanding of BPD in adolescents and promote early intervention to achieve better outcomes.

Learning Objectives

A. To identify common misconceptions and stigma about borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescents and differentiate them from evidence-based understanding of its diagnosis, prevalence, and prognosis.

B. To explore the role of trauma, adversity, parenting styles, and gender in the development and presentation of BPD during adolescence.

C. To analyze the interaction of BPD and comorbid conditions, as well as BPD’s association with poor mental health outcomes.

D. To review evidence-based interventions for adolescents with BPD and their implementation challenges.

Related Content Links

Dialogue between expert by experience and expert by profession: A conversation on the pathway to recovery in BPD
Early detection and intervention of Borderline Personality Disorder