Although Borderline Personality Disorder is not a disease with a mortality rate, several studies indicate that people with BPD live shorter lives on average. Due to the multiple causes discussed in this article, they have a life expectancy of around 15-20 years shorter than people without BPD.
BPD Life Expectancy
Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have a higher risk of premature death. This is not only the case for people with BPD, but any mental health condition will impact someone's health and therefore their life expectancy.
Several studies have found that those with BPD have a shorter life expectancy than those who do not have the disorder. People with BPD live 15-20 years less on average. It does not imply that if you have BPD, you will die sooner. The average life expectancy of people with and without BPD is used in these studies. You can assume that if a 20-year-old commits suicide due to suffering from BPD, the average age reduces dramatically. Suicide is, for this reason, one of the leading causes of a shorter life expectancy than someone without BPD.
The causes for a lower life expectancy for someone with BPD
Suicide
Alcohol or drug addiction
Partaking in higher-risk activities
Not working and less exercise
Not taking care of oneself
Stress
Medication
Suicide
BPD is linked to extremely distressing negative emotional experiences. These experiences are so painful that many people with BPD describe that they want to find a way to escape. In a time of extreme emotional pain, someone with BPD may engage in suicide behavior without fully considering the consequences. In this scenario, someone's ability to cope with life events and emotional instability is crucial. To cope with a strong sense of mental emptiness, they frequently engage in self-harm or suicidal behavior.
Suicidal behaviors and completed suicides are common in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). According to studies, around 75% of persons with BPD will try suicide at least once in their lives, and many will attempt multiple times. Suicidal tendencies will remain a problem for someone with BPD, whether or not they receive treatment.
Worth mentioning is that research has demonstrated that impulsive behaviors such as suicide attempts are more common in younger people with BPD than in those who are older.
Alcohol or drug addiction
Those with BPD, like people with other mental health illnesses, especially personality disorders, may turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. People with BPD who are afraid of being abandoned are more prone to seek relief from their suffering through drugs or alcohol.
The relationship between BPD and addiction is unstable. When borderline personality disorder and addiction coexist, the consequences of both are amplified. When these Conditions co-exist within an individual, symptoms might worsen, such as impulsive and destructive behaviors, mood swings, depression, and a lack of care for safety and health.
People who take substances to cope often feel worse afterward since their circumstances have not changed. Despite this, people's use of substances tends to persist as they seek temporary relief. This is when the addictive cycle begins.
Alcohol and drug abuse can have major consequences for one's physical health, especially if used frequently and for a long time, and it can drastically reduce one's life expectancy.
Partaking in higher-risk activities
BPD is linked to impulsivity, or a desire to act without considering the consequences. They are more likely to engage in impulsive or risky behaviors, such as gambling, shoplifting, reckless driving, Unprotected sex, and abusing drugs or alcohol. These are factors that can shorten someone's life.
Not working and lack of personal care
People with BPD are well-known for having difficulty pushing themselves to work and have no interest in taking care of themselves. As a result, some individuals with BPD sit at home, do not exercise, consume more junk food or no food at all, and in some cases can't afford a roof over their head. Not having the ability to get yourself to work can add a significant amount of stress. This combination leads to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Stress
It's no surprise that stress lowers life expectancy. Someone with BPD experiences a lot of stress due to, among other things, not being able to regulate emotions.
Medication
Studies have shown that about 50% of those with borderline personality disorder have a history of prescription drug use.
I am not saying that you should reject your prescribed medication. It's generally advisable to stick to your doctor's recommendations. But according to studies, anti-depression can increase the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.
Final Thoughts