What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

The DSM-5 (the latest edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) classifies BPD as a Cluster B personality disorder, meaning that it shares some similarities with other mental health conditions like antisocial personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder.

The defining characteristic of borderline personality disorder is an unstable sense of self that impairs their ability to maintain relationships or handle everyday stressors.

People suffering from BPD are commonly viewed as manipulative, due to perceived threats in their environment, but there’s a lot more that goes into borderline personality disorder than most people realize. If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from BPD, there are many ways in which treatment can help. Keep reading for tips on how to treat borderline personality disorder effectively. Person-cantered care and a Biopsychosocial treatment plan would go a long way to help clients suffering from BPD and young person should receive their person centred care within CAMHS.

Although personality disorders fall under Axis II of the DSM-5 alongside schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders BPD has its own entry in Section III.

In general, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary so much from person to person. Some of these symptoms include ongoing feelings of emptiness, erratic mood swings, intense anger outbursts, and fear of abandonment.

There are also three types of behaviours associated with BPD: chronic suicidal tendency.

Repeated attempts at the intimacy that leads only to disappointment.

Risk-taking or self-harm behaviour such as substance abuse problems or compulsive gambling. It’s estimated that around 1% of adults suffer from a borderline personality disorder, making it much less common than anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms

The symptoms of borderline personality disorder can be tough on family members and friends as well. In fact, they may even suffer a form of secondary BPD. The first step in overcoming BPD is recognizing when it’s present, followed by seeking treatment for both you and your loved ones. If you or someone you love exhibits any of these signs:

1. 1. Impulsivity at least in two areas that are potentially self-destructive like substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating
2. Unstable relationships,
3. Extreme highs and lows,
4. Intense emotions,
5. Suicidal behaviour or thoughts, consider reaching out for professional help.
6. Fragmented identity development
7. Poor self-esteems
8. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation, delusions, or severe disassociate symptoms.

Signs of BPD in Childhood

It can be difficult for a child with BPD to identify their feelings. An adolescent or young adults might feel like they are not receiving enough attention from others, and because of that, he or she may struggle with low self-esteem. An adolescent may start out as needy and clingy but then become hostile when their needs aren’t met. Likewise, someone who feels abandoned might act in ways that push people away.

These behaviours can cause problems at school or work if peers have trouble understanding them. It’s important for parents and teachers to understand when it’s time to seek professional help so that proper treatment can begin. If your child is showing signs of borderline personality disorder, seek support now through these tips o Set clear boundaries on unacceptable behaviour and enforce them consistently.

While many teens want independence, those with BPD often go too far by being impulsive and aggressive. Be sure to set limits on what’s acceptable behaviour and stick to them.

Remember that consequences must follow every infraction (even small ones). Your teen should know exactly what will happen if he or she steps over those lines, including getting grounded or losing privileges such as going out with friends.

Don’t take responsibility for how your teen acts: While you can offer suggestions about better ways to handle situations, don’t get caught up in feeling responsible for his or her actions. Nice Guideline  (2009) recommends a Person-cantered care and a Biopsychosocial treatment should be tailored towards the clients suffering from BPD.  Here are seven ways to effectively treat borderline personality disorder.

7 Ways to Effectively Treat Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, can be a difficult disorder to treat, as it causes a variety of symptoms that impact the way you feel, the way you think, and the way you behave. But with the right treatment approach tailored to your specific needs, you can learn to better manage your symptoms and lead a happier, healthier life. Here are seven ways to effectively treat borderline personality disorder.

1) Medical treatment

Treatment for BPD typically focuses on medications. First-line treatments include antidepressants, especially serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), which have been shown to help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety and decrease impulsive behaviours’, such as cutting or burning oneself. Additionally, aripiprazole (Abilify) is an antipsychotic drug that has been shown in clinical trials to stabilize moods and reduce impulsivity. Although not approved by FDA for use in BPD, studies also show that second-generation antipsychotics like aripiprazole are highly effective for treating certain symptoms of BPD.

2) Drug treatments

In a few cases, medications are prescribed for people with BPD. Most often, these are antidepressants and mood stabilizers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved four medications specifically for BPD: fluoxetine (Prozac), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and aripiprazole (Abilify). However, many people with BPD never receive medication treatment or only do so after several years of psychotherapy. There is little consensus among clinicians about how much drugs help people with BPD and at what cost to their identity and autonomy so don’t assume you must rely on medication alone or that medication will solve all your problems.

3) Alternative therapy

According to medical professionals, one of the best ways to treat BPD is through counselling and a wide range of alternative therapies. Alternative therapies aren’t just for pain management; they also enhance your mood and outlook on life, improve self-confidence, help you get to know yourself better and keep depression at bay. A counsellor can help determine which of these alternative treatments will be most beneficial based on your specific symptoms. Some options include meditation, acupuncture, yoga, biofeedback, and hypnosis.

4) Inpatient treatment centres

If you suspect someone you love is suffering from a borderline personality disorder, it’s best to get them help as soon as possible. The longer BPD goes untreated, the harder it can be for people with BPD and their loved ones. Inpatient treatment centers are a great way to give individuals affected by BPD an opportunity for professional care and support in a highly structured environment that makes recovery easier. When someone is struggling with extreme symptoms of borderline personality disorder, they often need immediate help and stability. For example, if they’re having trouble getting out of bed or making basic decisions like what to eat for dinner, they may need medical attention at an inpatient centre.

5) Psychotherapy

Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), is a common treatment method for those with BPD. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and addressing problems that might be causing stress and leading to relapse. In addition, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) teaches skills such as mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, which can lead to emotional regulation. Both types of therapy can help provide structure for people with BPD in ways that make it easier for them to deal with problems when they arise instead of relying on emotional responses and destructive behaviours. Medication: Antidepressants such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed by your doctor; these are effective in treating BPD symptoms like depression, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

6) Cognitive behavioral therapy

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thinking patterns. For example, if you have BPD, it could be useful to learn how to identify when you’re experiencing elevated mood or anxiety. Then, CBT helps you evaluate why these feelings are happening and come up with solutions for dealing with them. One study found that patients who engaged in CBT for one year saw improvement in their symptoms when compared with those who didn’t receive any treatment at all. While not everyone responds well to CBT or believes in its efficacy (some say it’s little more than an expensive talking therapy), some people find that they benefit from it and attribute positive changes in their life at work, and at home to cognitive behavioural therapy.

7) Dialectical behavioural therapy

As opposed to an either-or approach, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a holistic form of treatment that teaches you skills that can be used both in sessions and at home. DBT recognizes that our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all interconnected. By targeting specific skillsets, you’re able to address symptoms and also manage them so they don’t negatively impact your life.

By teaching mindfulness techniques, effective communication strategies, distress tolerance skills and how to effectively reduce self-destructive tendencies such as anger or suicidal ideation, DBT helps you learn how you feel instead of relying on more harmful ways of reacting (such as substance abuse). Cognitive behavioural therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of many evidence-based therapies for mental health problems.

Treatment For Borderline Personality Disorder In Adolescence

While BPD can occur at any age, its onset is most common between late adolescence and early adulthood. This suggests that some of the underlying issues driving it might be biological and genetically influenced, though environmental factors such as a history of childhood abuse are also likely to play a role. Treatment for borderline personality disorder in adolescence will probably include some combination of therapy, medications, support groups, or self-help programs for family members or caregivers. It’s crucial that you find a treatment program that best meets your needs and even one that includes more than one option.

For example, your doctor may prescribe medication to help reduce symptoms and make things easier while you’re working on therapy options. There are many different types of therapies available to treat borderline personality disorder, including Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): CBT is considered an effective form of psychotherapy for people with BPD because it helps them develop skills that can improve their moods and relationships.

In addition, CBT teaches coping mechanisms for dealing with intense emotions, managing impulsive behaviours, and improving problem-solving skills.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT combines elements from other therapies with concepts from Eastern philosophies like Buddhism. The idea behind DBT is that there’s no right way to deal with emotions; instead, there’s a spectrum of ways we react to stressors in our lives.