Genderline: Gender Dysphoria's Role in the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

This paper opens further the dialogue about the interconnected relationship that gender dysphoria and borderline personality disorder (BPD) have symptomatically in transgender patients. Borderline personality disorder characterization follows patterns that are unstable (DSM-5, p. 663). This instability causes rifts in self-image, interpersonal relationships and intense emotional sets. (DSM-5 p. 663). The study undertakes a critical, analytical and holistic. approach to investigating borderline personality disorder in transgender patients. Gender dysphoria, is the experience of one's gender not in alignment with their biological sex (DSM- 5 p. 451). The core focus is on understanding how gender identity and gender presentation play a role in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. The studies included in this paper use transgender patients to examine how BPD appears throughout their population. Evidence is shown that supports that individuals with gender dysphoria are diagnosed with BPD at higher rates than their cisgender counterparts. Encompassed in this paper is a literature review that analyzes a comprehensive range of topics. With interdisciplinary theory in mind, mental health data, the impacts of different forms of discrimination, neurological studies, social support systems, treatment efficacy, and hormone influence are relayed throughout this research paper. With great sensitivity, this study identifies specific areas of concern and suggests revising the applied diagnostic materials. The current state of treatment often does not acknowledge specific aspects of the transgender experience. Therefore, patients are provided with care that does not meet their needs.