CHARGE Syndrome Canada Newsletter SPECIAL EDITION 2007 Vol. 1 No.15 © copywrite |
Carnitine Deficiency in CHARGE Syndrome
International CHARGE Syndrome conference summary
Dr. van Dijk updates on Russian research
Behaviour - Borderline Personality Disorder
Past Edition of the Newsletter
Behaviour in CHARGE - Borderline Personality Disorder
"...my therapist thinks I may be classified as BPD. Has this been mentioned with any other CHARGE Syndrome adults or do you know anyone else with this?"
Many requests for information relate to strategy for behaviour in CHARGE syndrome. There are many theories and some research which does peel away at the many layers of individuals who are unique from eachother, and yet somehow similar, often depending on functioning levels of vision, hearing and the combined affect of sensory loss. The level of communication ability greatly affects behaviour outcomes. As research continues on a behaviour phenotype, more behaviour explanations are discussed. BPD has not yet been mentioned in the literature with a relationship to CHARGE.
"Borderline Personality Disorder" is sometimes related to early abandonment, post-tramatic stress disorder, or an early history of painful experiences. 70.7% of those with BPD had a history of traumatic early events. (1995 Sansone, Wiederman in Arch Fam Med. ) The personality disorder appears in about 10% of the general population (1994 American Psychiatric Association; Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and begins to be noticed in adolescence while peaking in adulthood. Public Health Agency of Canada (2002) reports that BPD usually results in more hospitalizations then other personality disorders, although treatment is not always sought or indicated. It is usually when self-mutalation occurs or more suicidal behaviour where hospitalization would occur.
BPD has been discussed by individuals with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) who are at a high functioning level of communication, and many report that the diagnosis does fit with what they experience. (Rubella client listserv) The diagnosis of BPD is controversal, and may cover areas such as emotions, with mood shifts which are frequent, often intense, inappropriate and uncontrolled. Impulsive actions characterize much of the behaviour, which is sometimes self-distructive. Problems and issues with identity and self image are typical, and individuals often have high affection needs. However their relationships are characterized by "splitting": self and others. People are seen as "all good or all bad", and there is often a trivial issue that will set one who was "idealized" off into the "bad pile" where hostile treatment becomes the next norm. Other characterizations include a lack of trust of others, and patterns where one would "abandon" or "engulf" in relationships. "Demandingness" and "entitlement" are pronounced.
Recognizing a disorder could help in early identification, so strategy and remidiation can begin early on. There are a number of resources provided by "BPD central.com", as well as many other sites. But the first step is finding a health care professional who understands the disorder, and may be able to help connect early experiences in order to help one overcome the disorder. More research in this area is needed.
~Ann Gloyn, Education Specialist
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