Treatment FAQ

borderline personality disorder how to obtain treatment

by Dudley Adams Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Borderline personality disorder is mainly treated using psychotherapy, but medication may be added. Your doctor also may recommend hospitalization if your safety is at risk. Treatment can help you learn skills to manage and cope with your condition.Jul 17, 2019

Medication

  • we know ourselves,
  • we have a sense of control over ourselves,
  • our stable sense of self guarantees a consistent behavior in different situations.

Therapy

Someone who has BPD will have at least five of the following symptoms present: Extreme fear of real or imagined abadonment Persistent feelings of emptiness and/or boredom Self-damaging impulsivity Inappropriate anger Instability in personal relationships, which swings between idealization and devaluation

Self-care

Punchline: Having Borderline Personality Disorder is serious enough to cause you a great deal of emotional pain and may interfere with your ability to stay motivated to achieve your goals. But, the higher functioning you are, the easier life will be for you.

How to spot the nine traits of borderline personality disorder?

What Are The Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?

  • Excessive fear of abandonment
  • Paranoid thoughts about friends or loved ones leaving you, talking about you behind your back, or being “out to get you”
  • Frequent mood swings
  • Intense emotional outbursts
  • Short periods of extreme anger
  • Difficulty maintaining long-term, stable friendships or romantic relationships

More items...

What are the early signs of borderline personality disorder?

How serious is borderline personality disorder?

How to know if I have a borderline disorder?

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How do I get help if I have borderline personality disorder?

If you have a diagnosis of BPD but are not under the care of your local community mental health team (CMHT), then you should speak to your GP. Your GP should: assess the level of risk to yourself or others, talk to you about previous mental health crises.

What is the first line of treatment for borderline personality disorder?

First-line treatment for BPD is psychotherapy [5-7]. Psychotropic medications are used as adjuncts to psychotherapy, targeting specific BPD symptom clusters. Adjunctive use of symptom targeted medications has been found to be useful [8]. Psychotherapy for BPD is reviewed here.

Is BPD a psychotic disorder?

The BPD diagnosis only entered the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in 1992 in the 10th edition (ICD-10) [7] as the borderline subtype of emotionally unstable personality disorder and has never included psychotic experiences.

Should I tell my therapist I think I have BPD?

Let the therapist know that you are interested in an assessment and treatment. Describe some of your symptoms. You can even mention that you think you may have BPD.

How to treat borderline personality disorder?

Treatments. Talk therapy . Medications. Self-care. Next steps. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can have a big impact on your mood, relationships, and daily life. The good news is that therapy and a good self-care routine can greatly reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. BPD means something different for everyone.

What is the best treatment for BPD?

The most effective treatment for BPD is individual psychotherapy and, sometimes, group therapy . Right now, there aren’t any FDA-approved medications for BPD; however, in some cases, antidepressants and mood stabilizers may be helpful.

What is mentalization based treatment?

Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) teaches you how to “mentalize,” which involves making sense of other people’s intentions and behaviors in different ways. Individuals with BPD may misread another person’s behavior as hurtful or rejecting, leading to intense emotional reactions and assumptions.

What are the symptoms of BPD?

Other symptoms of BPD can include extreme changes in mood, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, relationship difficulties, and substance use. BPD can also cause you to see others as entirely good or bad, which is a defense mechanism called “ splitting .”.

How many people have BPD?

BPD is a mental health condition that affects approximately 1.6% of the general population. One older research study found that after 2 years of therapy, 35% of individuals with BPD were in remission, meaning they had fewer symptoms and felt much better.

What happens when you have BPD?

BPD can cause profound fears of abandonment and rejection.

What are some strategies to help you cope with anger, sadness, and abandonment?

These skills can include distraction techniques like playing a game on your phone, pleasurable activities like taking a bubble bath, and cognitive exercises like accepting a difficult situation. Emotion regulation are tools to help you better handle upsetting emotions like anger, sadness, and feelings of abandonment.

Why is it important to evaluate clients with borderline personality disorder?

It is important that clinicians evaluate clients with borderline personality disorder for co-occurring conditions and address them in treatment. Anxiety: Most people with borderline personality disorder have comorbid anxiety disorders. The combined effects of these co-occurring conditions can make interpersonal situations especially painful ...

What is the best medication for borderline personality disorder?

Mood Stabilizers. While research is limited, some mood stabilizers, including lamotrigine and topiramate, have been shown to reduce aggression in people with borderline personality disorder. For this reason, these medications are only recommended for people who have difficulty controlling aggressive behavior.

What is DBT used for?

It has become one of the most widely used and effective interventions for borderline personality disorder and is now used to treat mood and trauma-based disorders as well. DBT combines CBT techniques with techniques drawn from meditation and mindfulness practices.

What percentage of people with borderline personality disorder have major depressive disorder?

About 20 percent of people with borderline personality disorder also have major depressive disorder. Comorbid borderline personality disorder and depression can be an especially destructive combination, significantly increasing the risk of suicide and lowering quality of life. As with anxiety, depression is most effectively treated ...

Why are SSRIs prescribed for borderline personality disorder?

For these reasons, SSRIs are often prescribed to people with borderline personality disorder to improve emotional regulation and impulse control. Mood Stabilizers.

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) was specifically designed to help people process and heal from trauma. In EMDR, people recall traumatic memories while tracking a visual or auditory signal. The way this particular mechanism works to help people re-process trauma is not clear, but research shows that EMDR is effective in treating trauma-related conditions, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What is mentalization therapy?

Mentalization is the process by which people come to understand themselves and others, particularly by developing empathy for. Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is designed to improve this process. It helps people with BPD establish a more stable sense of self and gain more insight into their emotional processes. It can also help people with BPD improve their interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

How to treat BPD?

Psychotherapy is considered the cornerstone for treating BPD because it aims to address the emotional dysregulation associated with the condition. A hallmark of effective treatment is learning to master dysregulation with coping skills, insight and acceptance. There are several types of psychotherapy that have shown to be effective in doing this: 1 Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching coping skills to combat counterproductive urges, regulate emotions and improve relationships. Involving individual and group work, DBT encourages practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation, regulated breathing and self-soothing. DBT has been shown to be effective in reducing suicidal behavior, psychiatric hospitalization, treatment dropout, substance use, anger and interpersonal difficulties. Learn more about DBT. 2 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps address the negative thinking and behaviors associated with BPD. The goal of this therapy is to recognize negative thoughts and learn effective coping strategies. 3 Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) teaches people how to become conscious of their internal states and how to develop empathy for other people’s experiences. This treatment is also used to explore emotions and develop alternative explanations for negative interactions with others.

Why is psychotherapy important for BPD?

Psychotherapy is considered the cornerstone for treating BPD because it aims to address the emotional dysregulation associated with the condition. A hallmark of effective treatment is learning to master dysregulation with coping skills, insight and acceptance.

How effective is DBT?

DBT has been shown to be effective in reducing suicidal behavior, psychiatric hospitalization, treatment dropout, substance use, anger and interpersonal difficulties. Learn more about DBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps address the negative thinking and behaviors associated with BPD.

What is MBT therapy?

Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) teaches people how to become conscious of their internal states and how to develop empathy for other people’s experiences. This treatment is also used to explore emotions and develop alternative explanations for negative interactions with others.

Can BPD be treated with medication?

There is no singular medication designed to specifically treat the core symptoms of BPD. Medications can be useful in treating certain symptoms associated with BPD, such as depression and anxiety. They can also be used to help increase a person’s ability to engage in psychotherapy.

Can BPD be co-occurring?

People with BPD often have other co-occurring conditions and their treatment plan should address these as well. Work with your treatment team to understand the risks and benefits of each of these individual courses of action as well as how they work with each other.

What is the best treatment for BPD?

Psychotherapy. Long-term outpatient psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," is an important part of any treatment for BPD. Research has shown that several types of psychotherapy are effective in reducing the symptoms of BPD, 2 including: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Dialectical behavior therapy ...

How is BPD treated?

Usually, BPD is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, 1  although during times of crisis, individuals with BPD may require brief periods of hospitalization to remain safe. More recently, self-help tools have been developed to supplement traditional treatments for BPD.

What is the DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was the first form of psychotherapy found to be effective for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD.) DBT is a form of cognitive behavior therapy which focuses on how thoughts and beliefs can lead to actions and behaviors. In this therapy, people learn how ...

What is mentalization therapy?

Mentalization-based therapy has been studied for BPD and may help with anxiety and depression as well as social functioning. This therapy focuses on helping the client to recognize mental states—their own thoughts and feelings, as well as the thoughts and feelings of others they communicate with.

What is self help for BPD?

Self-help strategies for BPD are an essential part of any treatment program. Of course, these should be used to supplement care from a qualified therapist and not alone. An ideal plan includes learning as much as you can about your disorder through self-help education, learning healthy coping skills for BPD, and finding ways to help you express and manage your emotions.

Can medication help with borderline personality disorder?

Although there are currently no medications for borderline personality disorder approved by the FDA, research has shown that some medications do reduce certain symptoms of the disorder. 3  Medication may be particularly effective for BPD when it is used in conjunction with psychotherapy. In addition to helping with BPD symptoms, medications may help with co-existing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Is transference focused psychotherapy better than dialectical behavior therapy?

Transference-focused psychotherapy has been studied for BPD and may be as good or better than dialectical behavior therapy according to these studies.

What is the treatment for borderline personality disorder?

The main treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a combination of counseling and medication.

What is the best treatment for BPD?

If you experience intense times of distorted thinking, your counselor may suggest an anti-psychotic medication.

What type of therapy is used for BPD?

Depending on your symptoms and situation, your counselor may use one of these types of psychotherapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT) began as a way to help manage crisis behavior, such as suicidal behavior or self-harm. It is the most commonly recommended therapy for BPD.

How to start a treatment plan for a syphilis?

Being consistent with your treatment -- taking medications on schedule, keeping counseling appointments -- is the best way to start. Routine is helpful in other ways, too. Regular meal and sleep times let your body know what to expect. Try to exercise daily too.

What is the difference between Schema-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing the basics of what you believe about yourself and others. Schema-Focused Therapy is similar to CBT in how it reframes negative thoughts about yourself into positive ones.

What is the best treatment for BPD?

Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly used in first-line therapy. Antipsychotics, such as Zyprexa (olanzapine) which is known to reduce impulsivity, hostility, and psychotic symptoms of BPD.

What are the other mental health disorders that are associated with BPD?

According to a report from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 85% of people with BPD will have at least one other mental health disorder, including anxiety disorders, impulse-control disorders, substance abuse or dependence disorders, and mood disorders (like major depressive disorder or MDD). 1 .

What are the best medications for BPD?

Medications can be helpful in treating some of the symptoms of BPD. 5  While drugs are not always needed, some of the more commonly prescribed include: 1 Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly used in first-line therapy 2 Antipsychotics, such as Zyprexa (olanzapine) which is known to reduce impulsivity, hostility, and psychotic symptoms of BPD 3 Mood stabilizers, including Topamax (topiramate), Lamictal (lamotrigine), and Depakote (valproate semisodium) which may be useful in treating BPD aggression 4 Anti-anxiety medications, including Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Valium (diazepam)

What is the backbone of BPD?

Psychotherapy. The backbone treatment for BPD is psychotherapy , also known as talk therapy. 4  Among the various approaches: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the foundational structured approach to talk therapy incorporated into all other forms of psychotherapy .

How many co-occurring conditions are there in BPD?

People with BPD will often meet the criteria for other personality disorders as well. The average number of co-occurring conditions in BPD is three . These co-occurring conditions (also known as comorbidities) can make treatment far more complex and result in delayed or missed diagnoses due to overlapping symptoms.

How to be a good therapist?

Therapy relies heavily on trust and open interaction. Take the time to interview several therapists, zeroing in on someone with whom you feel safe, comfortable, and supported. Educate yourself. Take the time to learn about your condition and become an advocate in your own care .

Is BPD a hard disease to treat?

In the past, many doctors believed that BPD was untreatable and lumped it together with other hard-to-treat conditions like antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). As scientists have gained greater insights about the disorder, newer treatment approaches have helped many achieve lasting remission from BPD, in some cases without the use of drugs.

When was the Borderline Personality Disorder Guideline published?

Based on Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder,originally published in October 2001. A guideline watch, summarizing significant developments in thescientific literature since publication of this guideline, may be available in the Psychiatric Practice section of the APA web site at www.psych.org.

What is the Imminent Danger to Others?

Imminent danger to others Loss of control of suicidal impulses or serious suicide attempt Transient psychotic episode associated with loss of impulse control,impaired judgment, or both Symptoms that are unresponsive to outpatient treatment and partialhospitalization and that are of sufficient severity to interfere withwork, family life, or other significant domains of functioning

What is borderline personality disorder?

People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) tend to have major difficulties with relationships, especially with those closest to them. Their wild mood swings, angry outbursts, chronic abandonment fears, and impulsive and irrational behaviors can leave loved ones feeling helpless, abused, and off balance.

How to help someone with BPD?

To help someone with BPD, first take care of yourself. When a family member or partner has borderline personality disorder, it’s all too easy to get caught up in heroic efforts to please and appease him or her.

What does BPD mean in a relationship?

People in a close relationship with a borderline adult often liken talking with their loved one to arguing with a small child. People with BPD have trouble reading body language or understanding the nonverbal content of a conversation. They may say things that are cruel, unfair, or irrational.

What is the problem with BPD?

The problem for people with BPD is that the disorder distorts both the messages they hear and those they try to express. BPD expert and author, Randi Kreger, likens it to “having ‘aural dyslexia,’ in which they hear words and sentences backwards, inside out, sideways, and devoid of context.”.

What happens when someone has BPD?

This emotional volatility can cause turmoil in their relationships and stress for family members, partners, and friends. Many people in a close relationship with someone who suffers from BPD often know that there’s something wrong with their loved one, but have no idea what it is or if there is even a name for it.

Is it easy to recognize BPD?

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of BPD. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder is not always easy. BPD is rarely diagnosed on its own, but often in conjunction with co-occurring disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, an eating disorder, or substance abuse. Your family member or loved one ...

Can you help someone else?

You can’t help someone else or enjoy sustainable, satisfying relationships when you’re run down and overwhelmed by stress. As in the event of an in-flight emergency, you must “put on your own oxygen mask first.”. Avoid the temptation to isolate.

What are the risk factors for borderline personality disorder?

Risk factors for BPD include: Abandonment in childhood or adolescence. Disrupted family life. Poor communication in the family. Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

What is a BPD?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner experiences often result in impulsive actions and chaotic relationships with other people.

How to tell if you have BPD?

Other symptoms of BPD include: 1 Intense fear of being abandoned 2 Cannot tolerate being alone 3 Frequent feelings of emptiness and boredom 4 Frequent displays of inappropriate anger 5 Impulsiveness, such as with substance abuse or sexual relationships 6 Repeated crises and acts of self-injury, such as wrist cutting or overdosing

How does BPD affect people?

Persons with BPD are often uncertain about their identity. As a result, their interests and values can change rapidly. They also tend to view things in terms of extremes, such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people can change quickly. A person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. These suddenly shifting feelings often lead to intense and unstable relationships.

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Overview

Psychotherapy

Medications

Hospitalization

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Abhimanyu Chandak
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Early diagnosis plays a key role in effective treatment. Treatment varies from case to case. Long-term psychotherapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder.
Medication

Antidepressants: The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," which ease depression.

Fluoxetine . Sertraline . Paroxetine . Escitalopram . Fluvoxamine


Antipsychotics: Help stabilize certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control emotions and behavior.

Risperidone . Olanzapine . Quetiapine


Mood stabilizers: To reduce anger, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, or attempts of self-harm.

Carbamazepine . Divalproex . Lithium

Therapy

Psychotherapy:A trained therapist can provide assistance in managing thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Dialectical behavior therapy:Guidance on adapting changes in the behavior.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Enrol in support groups; share experiences and feelings.
  • Try out new coping skills and emotion regulation with people from the support group.
  • Try to develop and maintain healthy social relationships.

Specialist to consult

Psychiatrist
Specializes in the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Psychologist
Specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, emotional disturbance, and behaviour problems.

Self-Help

  • Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are diagnosed based on a: 1. Detailed interview with your doctor or mental health provider 2. Psychological evaluation that may include completing questionnaires 3. Medical history and exam 4. Discussion of your signs and …
See more on mayoclinic.org

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