Navigating the Diagnostic Challenge and Holistic Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents: Insights from Neuroscience to Social Contexts

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-475-4_64How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Adolescent BPD; misdiagnosis; DBT; neuroimaging; cultural differences; early intervention

Abstract

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in adolescents is frequently misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with typical developmental turbulence, such as emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and interpersonal conflicts. This paper examines the unique manifestations of BPD in teens, emphasizing diagnostic pitfalls and their implications. Through case studies and neuroimaging evidence, it highlights the biological underpinnings of BPD, including amygdala hyperactivity and underdeveloped prefrontal cortex function, which contribute to emotional instability. Effective interventions are explored, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), which reduce self-harm by 50% and hospitalizations by 70% through skill-building and perspective-taking exercises. Family involvement and school-based adaptations (e.g., flexible deadlines, peer mentorship) are also critical for stabilization. Cultural nuances significantly influence symptom expression: East Asian teens may somaticize distress, while Western counterparts verbalize despair. LGBTQ+ adolescents face triple the suicide risk compared to heterosexual peers, underscoring the need for affirming care. The paper advocates for early screening tools, stigma-free diagnostic approaches, and multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, families, and schools. With timely intervention, 60% of adolescents achieve symptom remission by adulthood. By integrating neuroscience, culturally sensitive practices, and systemic support, this work provides a comprehensive framework for improving outcomes in adolescent BPD.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Shihan Zhang
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/11/11
TI  - Navigating the Diagnostic Challenge and Holistic Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents: Insights from Neuroscience to Social Contexts
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 10th International Conference on Modern Management, Education and Social Sciences (MMET 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 572
EP  - 578
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-475-4_64
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-475-4_64
ID  - Zhang2025
ER  -