Introduction
A borderline syndrome is a number of different symptoms that are almost combined as a personality disorder of the borderline type. The patients are often very impulsive and usually have disorders in interpersonal contacts. In addition, their mood and self-image often fluctuate greatly. It is therefore difficult not only for the patient but also for the relatives to cope with a borderline syndrome. It is therefore important that relatives of patients with a borderline syndrome also seek help.
Causes / Who is to blame?
Borderline syndrome is a personality disorder caused by various factors. To better understand the patient, it is important for many relatives to know how the borderline syndrome developed and what the causes are. It is important to know that the cause is not known with certainty and therefore various factors are assumed which could contribute to the development of a borderline syndrome.
Nevertheless, the relative is not to blame for the illness and the relative should not be held responsible for the fact that his or her child, sibling or parent suffers from borderline syndrome. An important factor is the genetic component. It is considered relatively certain that children whose parents were emotionally unstable show some instability in their emotional behaviour.
Whether this was learned or genetically inherited is difficult to say, but it is assumed that there is a genetic component. Some psychoanalysts, on the other hand, claim that environmental influences alone are decisive in determining whether a child develops borderline syndrome. If sexual abuse or other assaults or acts of violence occur during childhood, this can lead to the child developing borderline syndrome.
Therefore it is important that after traumatic events the relatives and their children attend an adequate therapy to prevent the child from developing a borderline syndrome. Most patients with a borderline syndrome come from chaotic and unstable family situations or from neglectful family relationships. Therefore it is important for the relatives to try to build up a stable family life to counteract the development of a borderline syndrome.
This in no way means that a relative is to blame if the child develops a borderline syndrome just because the relative is divorced, for example, or sometimes leads a somewhat chaotic life. The most important thing is an emotionally stable level, which is conveyed through love and care for each other. Nevertheless, there are also children who seem to come from happy families and still develop borderline syndrome, which seems to be very difficult for the relatives because they do not know what causes the mental illness. Therefore it is important that relatives do not blame themselves or point the finger at others and look for blame in others.
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