PYC4802 Assignment 03

ABSTRACT
Borderline personality disorder is a mental
illness that severely impacts a person’s
ability to regulate their emotions. This loss
of emotional control can increase
impulsivity, affect how a person feels about
themselves, and negatively impact their
relationships with others. Effective
treatments are available to manage the
symptoms of borderline personality
disorder. We shall discus on how one must
learn more about the disorder, how it’s
diagnosed, and how to find support.
ASSIGNMENT 3 UNIQUE NO
706685THEME: BORDERLINE PYC4802 Psychopathology
PERSONALITY DISORDER
4 August 2023

,Table of Contents

ASSIGNMENT 3 THEME: BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER ..................................................................... 2

DISCUSS, IN DETAIL, THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO IDENTIFYING AND DIAGNOSING
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER IN ADOLESCENTS WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN
CONTEXT. (100 MARKS). ......................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 2

A) DISCUSS THE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA AND HALLMARK FEATURES OF PERSONALITY
DISORDER AND BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER (20 MARKS) ........................................ 4

B) CRITICALLY DISCUSS PROBLEMS RELATED TO IDENTIFYING AND DIAGNOSING BPD
IN ADOLESCENT WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT (60 MARKS) ....................................... 6

B.1) THE FOLLOWING ARE CRITICAL ISSUES OR PROBLEMS RELATED TO IDENTIFYING
AND DIAGNOSING BPD IN ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA: ...................................................... 8

LIMITED AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE: ......................................................................................................... 8
STIGMA AND CULTURAL BELIEFS: .................................................................................................................... 8
LIMITED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: .............................................................................................................. 9
COMORBIDITY AND SYMPTOM OVERLAP: ......................................................................................................... 9
CULTURAL VARIATIONS IN SYMPTOM EXPRESSION: ........................................................................................ 9
SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES: ........................................................................................................................ 9
DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES: ............................................................................................................................ 10

B.2) THE FOLLOWING ARE CRITICAL ISSUES WITH DIAGNOSING BPD IN ADOLESCENTS IN
SOUTH AFRICA: ...................................................................................................................................... 10

B.2.1) DSM-5 ALTERNATIVE PERSONALITY MODEL ............................................................................. 12
a) Moderate or greater impairment in personality functioning, manifested by characteristic
difficulties in two or more of the following four areas: ........................................................................ 14
b) Six or more of the following seven pathological personality traits: ......................................... 15
B.2.2) CONTEMPORARY TRENDS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS (SUE, D, ET AL, 2016). .......................... 17

C) REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 18

, ASSIGNMENT 3 Theme: Borderline Personality Disorder

Discuss, in detail, the problems related to identifying and diagnosing borderline
personality disorder in adolescents within the South African context. (100 marks).

Introduction

Identifying and diagnosing Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in
adolescents can be challenging within the South African context due to various
factors. This response will discuss the problems related to this process in detail.
However, first lets define what is the Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline
personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to
regulate their emotions. This loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect
how a person feels about themselves, and negatively impact their relationships with
others. Effective treatments are available to manage the symptoms of borderline
personality disorder. We shall discus on how one must learn more about the
disorder, how it’s diagnosed, and how to find support.


Limited awareness and knowledge: There is a lack of awareness and
understanding of mental health disorders in general, including BPD, within the South
African population. This lack of knowledge can lead to difficulties in recognizing the
symptoms and behaviours associated with BPD, both among adolescents
themselves and among their families, educators, and healthcare providers.


Stigma and cultural beliefs: Mental health issues often carry a significant
social stigma in South Africa. Traditional cultural beliefs and practices may attribute
certain behaviours to external factors such as witchcraft or curses, rather than
considering them as symptoms of a mental health disorder. This stigma and cultural
perspective can hinder the identification and diagnosis of BPD in adolescents, as it
may discourage open discussions about mental health and delay seeking
appropriate help.
Limited mental health services: South Africa faces significant challenges in
providing accessible and adequate mental health services, particularly in rural areas.
There is a scarcity of mental health professionals, including child and adolescent