From the National Institute of Mental Health
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to manage their emotions. This loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect how a person feels about themselves, and negatively impact their relationships with others. Effective treatments are available that can help people manage the symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
What are some signs and symptoms of BPD?
People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense mood swings and feel uncertainty about how they see themselves. Their feelings for others can change quickly, and swing from extreme closeness to extreme dislike. These changing feelings can lead to unstable relationships and emotional pain.
People with borderline personality disorder also tend to view things in extremes, such as all good or all bad. Their interests and values can change quickly, and they may act impulsively or recklessly. For a full list of symptoms click here.
How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?
A licensed mental health professional—such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker—can diagnose borderline personality disorder based on a thorough evaluation of a person’s symptoms, experiences, and family medical history. A careful and thorough medical exam can help rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
Borderline personality disorder is usually diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. Occasionally, people younger than age 18 may be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder if their symptoms are significant and last at least 1 year.
How is borderline personality disorder treated?
With evidence-based treatment, many people with borderline personality disorder experience fewer and less severe symptoms, improved functioning, and better quality of life. It is important for people with borderline personality disorder to receive treatment from a licensed mental health professional.
Psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) is the main treatment for people with borderline personality disorder. Most psychotherapy occurs with a licensed, trained mental health professional in one-on-one sessions or with other people in group settings. Group sessions can help people with borderline personality disorder learn how to interact with others and express themselves effectively. Sub-specialities of psychotherapy particularly effective for BPD include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy. These are special types of therapy which help individuals with BPD manage intense emotions, mood swings, and self-destructive behaviors associated with BPD.
While medications are not commonly used in the treatment of BPD specifically, in some cases, a psychiatrist may recommend medications to treat specific symptoms or co-occurring mental disorders such as mood swings or depression. Treatment with medications may require coordinated care among several health care providers.
How can I find help for my borderline personality disorder?
If you’re not sure where to get help, a health care provider can refer you to a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating borderline personality disorder. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also has an online treatment locator to help you find mental health services in your area.
How can I help family members/loved ones with borderline personality disorder?
Take time to learn about the illness to understand what your friend or relative is experiencing.
Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. Change can be
difficult and frightening to people with borderline personality disorder, but things can improve over time.
Encourage your loved one in treatment for borderline personality disorder to ask about family therapy.
Seek counseling for yourself. Choose a different therapist than the one your relative is seeing.
Please note that if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm you should seek the treatment of a mental healthcare professional immediately. Hotlines are also available for those without access to a professional. The number for the Federal Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are struggling.