Clinical Profile of Borderline Personality Disorder in North India

Culture and Borderline Personality Disorder in India

The present paper discusses how cultural context can be used as an essential tool in the diagnosis of mental disorders as well as in segregating individuals with normal or abnormal personality functioning. Further, such information about the culture can be used to diagnose individuals specifically with borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a mental illness marked by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, moods, and self-image. We discuss how culture shapes patterns of behavior in the individual with BPD. An extensive review of manifestation of BPD in eastern countries suggests that culture and social norms are the two crucial factors, which can differentiate normal and abnormal behavioral patterns in BPD. For example, the social norms shape and give directions to our interpersonal functioning, emotions are experienced within the cultural context and expressed accordingly, and self is a reflection and representation of one’s culture. Hence, these constructs of BPD (such as interpersonal functioning, emotions, and self) indicate that they are experienced differently in different cultures and vary on the continuum of normal to abnormal personality functioning. The cultural manifestation of BPD helps to understand the specific profile of the three constructs of BPD in an eastern culture like India. A synthesis of studies on prevalence, development, and symptom presentation of BPD in the Indian context is emphasized to support the personality functioning within the constructs of BPD. The literature review indicates that BPD research in India is based only on a few cases and a tiny sample of such patients. However, studies on BPD in the cultural context are minimal and incomprehensive. Hence, it suggests the importance of more empirical studies concerning the appropriate diagnosis of BPD within the cultural context of India.

Lived experiences of adults with borderline personality disorder: a qualitative systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this review are: to explore the lived experiences of individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and to present recommendations for policy, practice, education and research.

INTRODUCTION

Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder characterized by poor capacity to engage in effective relationships, intense and sudden mood changes, poor self-image and emotion regulation, significant impulsivity and severe functional impairment. Studies estimate the prevalence of BPD at 15% to 22% and identify a predominantly negative attitude among health professionals towards individuals with BPD. This review will examine the lived experiences of people with a diagnosis of BPD in order to better understand this condition.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will include peer-reviewed qualitative studies on adults with a diagnosis of BPD in all settings and from any geographical location.

METHODS

A three-step search strategy will be used. A search strategy has been developed for MEDLINE. A second search using all identified keywords and index terms will be conducted across MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Embase. Studies will be screened by title and abstract by two independent reviewers against the review inclusion criteria. The full text of selected citations will be assessed against the inclusion criteria and for methodological quality. Qualitative data will be extracted from included papers using a standardized data extraction tool. Qualitative research findings will be pooled using the meta-aggregation approach. The final synthesized findings will be graded according to the ConQual approach and presented in a Summary of Findings.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42019141098.