The unpredictable outbursts are usually very frightening and mystifying—both to the person with BPD himself and to those closest to him. Because of the sudden and extreme nature of more prominent symptoms, the concerned party can be easily misled and not recognize that it is a common manifestation of BPD rather than a separate primary illness. For example, a person who attempts to kill himself by overdosing or cutting his wrists may be diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressant medications and brief supportive psychotherapy. If
