Medication
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness. It usually appears during adolescence or early adulthood. People with BPD have extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and trouble controlling their emotions. They have a higher risk of suicide and self-destructive behavior. Symptoms often lessen over time, and counseling and ...
Therapy
Borderline personality disorder is an illness marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior. These symptoms often result in impulsive actions and problems in relationships with other people. A person with borderline personality disorder may experience episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from a few ...
Self-care
· 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. Causes. The cause of borderline personality disorder is unknown.
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness. It usually appears during adolescence or early adulthood. People with BPD have extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and trouble controlling their emotions. They have a higher risk of suicide and self-destructive behavior. Symptoms often lessen over time, ...
How does borderline personality disorder affect people?
Without treatment, people with BPD have an increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse, depression, self-harm and suicide. Many people with BPD experience unstable or chaotic personal relationships ...
Why do people with BPD feel uncomfortable?
Fear of abandonment: It’s common for people with BPD to feel uncomfortable with being alone. They have a strong fear of being abandoned or rejected. They might track their loved ones’ whereabouts or stop them from leaving. Or they might push people away before getting too close to avoid rejection.
What causes BPD?
Causes of BPD include: Abuse and trauma: People who have been sexually, emotionally or physically abused have a higher risk of BPD. Neglect, mistreatment or separation from a parent also raises the risk. Genetics: Borderline personality disorder runs in families.
What does it feel like to have BPD?
Depression: Many people with BPD feel sad, bored, unfulfilled or “empty.” Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common, too.
How do you know if you have BPD?
The most common signs of BPD include: Frequent and intense mood swings: If you have BDP, you may experience sudden changes in how you feel about others, yourself and the world around you. Irrational emotions — including uncontrollable anger, fear, anxiety, hatred, sadness and love — change frequently and suddenly.
When do you start to feel symptoms of BPD?
Symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) usually appear in the late teenage years or early adulthood. A troubling event or stressful experience can trigger symptoms or make them worse. Over time, symptoms usually decrease and may go away completely. Some people have a handful of BPD symptoms, while others have many.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is an illness marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior. These symptoms often result in impulsive actions and problems in relationships with other people.
What are the signs and symptoms?
People with borderline personality disorder may experience mood swings and may display uncertainty about how they see themselves and their role in the world. As a result, their interests and values can change quickly. People with borderline personality disorder also tend to view things in extremes, such as all good or all bad.
What causes borderline personality disorder?
Scientists aren’t sure what causes borderline personality disorder, but research suggests that genetic, environmental, and social factors play a role.
How do I know if I have borderline personality disorder?
A licensed mental health professional—such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker—experienced in diagnosing and treating mental disorders can diagnose borderline personality disorder, based on a thorough interview and a discussion about symptoms.
How is borderline personality disorder treated?
Borderline personality disorder has historically been viewed as difficult to treat. But with newer, evidence-based treatment, many people with borderline personality disorder experience fewer and less severe symptoms, improved functioning, and an improved quality of life.
What research is being done to improve the diagnosis and treatment of borderline personality disorder?
Research on borderline personality disorder is focusing on biological and environmental risk factors, with special attention on symptoms that may emerge at a young age. Researchers are conducting studies focused on adolescents at risk for borderline personality disorder to develop methods that help identify the disorder early.
Where Can I Find Help?
For more information, resources, and research on mental illnesses, visit the NIMH website at http://www.nimh.nih.gov. The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus website ( https://medlineplus.gov/) also has information on a wide variety of mental disorders.
Why is it important to get treatment for borderline personality disorder?
Treatment can help you learn skills to manage and cope with your condition. It's also necessary to get treated for any other mental health disorders that often occur along with borderline personality disorder, such as depression or substance misuse.
What medications are used for borderline personality disorder?
Medications may include antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood-stabilizing drugs.
How to reduce impulsiveness?
Reduce your impulsiveness by helping you observe feelings rather than acting on them. Work on improving relationships by being aware of your feelings and those of others. Learn about borderline personality disorder. Types of psychotherapy that have been found to be effective include: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
What is a DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT includes group and individual therapy designed specifically to treat borderline personality disorder. DBT uses a skills-based approach to teach you how to manage your emotions, tolerate distress and improve relationships.
How to share information with a mental health provider?
Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who has known you for a long time may be able to share important information with the doctor or mental health provider, with your permission.
What is a good psychiatric management approach?
Good psychiatric management. This treatment approach relies on case management, anchoring treatment in an expectation of work or school participation. It focuses on making sense of emotionally difficult moments by considering the interpersonal context for feelings. It may integrate medications, groups, family education and individual therapy.
How to deal with a substance abuse problem?
Manage intense emotions by practicing coping skills, such as the use of breathing techniques and mindfulness meditation.
How does borderline personality disorder affect you?
Borderline personality disorder affects how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others and how you behave.
What are the factors that increase the risk of borderline personality disorder?
Some factors related to personality development can increase the risk of developing borderline personality disorder. These include: Hereditary predisposition. You may be at a higher risk if a close relative — your mother, father, brother or sister — has the same or a similar disorder. Stressful childhood.
What are the risks of having a hereditary predisposition?
Hereditary predisposition. You may be at a higher risk if a close relative — your mother, father, brother or sister — has the same or a similar disorder. Stressful childhood. Many people with the disorder report being sexually or physically abused or neglected during childhood.
How long does paranoia last?
Periods of stress-related paranoia and loss of contact with reality, lasting from a few minutes to a few hours
Who to reach out to for help?
Reach out to a loved one, close friend, trusted peer or co-worker.
Can personality disorders be inherited?
Some studies of twins and families suggest that personality disorders may be inherited or strongly associated with other mental health disorders among family members .
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
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.
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.
Can talk therapy help with BPD?
Individual talk therapy may successfully treat BPD. In addition, group therapy can sometimes be helpful.
What Is It?
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by poor self-image, a feeling of emptiness, and great difficulty coping with being alone. People with this disorder have highly reactive and intense moods, and unstable relationships. Their behavior can be impulsive. They are also more likely than average to attempt or commit suicide.
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Symptoms
Feeling vulnerable is a common human experience, so many people without this disorder also experience symptoms on this list. The diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is made only when a person has had many of these symptoms, they are severe in degree, and they are long-lasting.
Diagnosis
There is no clear line between a personality style and a disorder. Personality patterns are considered to be a disorder when they impair a person's functioning and cause significant distress.
Expected Duration
All personality disorders are lifelong patterns, but there is now more optimism about the more distressing aspects of borderline personality disorder. Research indicates that the symptoms of borderline personality disorder get less intense as people grow older. With proper treatment, many people see significant improvement.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent borderline personality disorder. Treatment is likely to better the chances of a person with the disorder getting relief from the most painful symptoms.
Treatment
Psychotherapy is a key part of the treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Psychotherapy
Treatment of BPD typically involves long-term psychotherapy (talk therapy) with a therapist who has experience treating this kind of personality disorder.
Medication
While there is no specific medication to treat BPD, other medications — such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers — might help people manage some symptoms they find challenging.
Hospitalization
In times of crisis, a hospital visit can help provide the resources that you need to feel better. This is typically a short-term hospital stay of a week or so, but this depends on the individual’s situation. Hospitalization is considered if you might harm yourself or others.
Self-help strategies
Self-help strategies can help ease your symptoms. This could include using BPD workbooks, learning DBT skills at home, or finding healthy emotional outlets, such as a creative hobby or exercise. Connecting with support groups might also be helpful.
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a kind of mental health problem. It may also be called emotionally unstable personality disorder. People with BPD have unstable moods and can act recklessly. They also have a hard time managing their emotions. If you have BPD, you may have problems with daily tasks, obligations, and life events.
What causes borderline personality disorder?
Mental health experts don't know exactly what causes BPD. Some studies have shown it may be passed down in families. Your social and cultural surroundings may also play a part. For example, you may be at higher risk for BPD if you are part of a community with unstable relationships.
What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?
The symptoms of BPD often start during the teen years. The symptoms can vary from person to person. But people with BPD will have at least 5 of these symptoms over time:
How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?
If you have BPD symptoms, you can be diagnosed by a mental health provider. This type of specialist can include a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Or you may be seen by a clinical social worker or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
How is borderline personality disorder treated?
Your healthcare provider will figure out your specific treatment for BFP based on the following:
What are the complications of borderline personality disorder?
BPD may seriously affect a person's ability to cope and function in a job or in school. Other common problems that affect people with BPD include getting other mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other psychiatric conditions.
Living with borderline personality disorder
See your healthcare provider or therapist on schedule. Don't skip appointments.