Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

1 in 25 adults are struggling with some form of mental illness. It is estimated that between 1 and 4% of the population in the United States are affected by Borderline Personality Disorder at some time in their life. If you have been recently diagnosed or know someone who has, you may be feeling scared and overwhelmed. It is important that we arm ourselves with information about the disorder to help empower ourselves and loved ones to seek help.

Both men and women commonly struggle with BPD. Nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are women, although research suggests that men may be equally affected by the disorder but are commonly misdiagnosed with PTSD or depression.

In addition, a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology confirmed that BPD is a common co-occurring disorder with alcohol and substance abuse. It is estimated that nearly half of those with BPD have a history of a substance abuse disorder. Both men and women commonly struggle with BPD. Nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are women although research suggests that men may be equally affected by the disorder, but are commonly misdiagnosed with PTSD or depression.

What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition listed in the DSM-5, a manual of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). BPD is characterized by having extreme difficulty with emotional regulation. People with borderline personality disorder experience intense emotions for extended periods and struggle with bringing themselves back to a place of baseline stability after emotionally triggering events. According to the DSM-5, people with BPD experience a pervasive pattern of instability within personal relationships, self-image, and affect. The symptoms of BPD affect one’s abilities at work, in social settings, and the completion of everyday tasks.

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Symptoms of BPD

People with BPD experience varying degrees of mood swings, instability, and insecurity. Some key signs may include.

Unstable relationships that alternate between idealization and devaluation
Impulsive behaviors can result in dangerous outcomes.
Unstable self-image affects values, goals, moods, and opinions
Periods of depression, anxiety, and irritability normally last up to a few days at a time.
Chronic feelings of apathy and emptiness
Dissociation, a sense of disconnection from thoughts and feelings, bodily sensations, and actions, sometimes leading to brief psychotic episodes.
Delusions

It is important to note that patients with BPD struggle with experiencing extreme stress, rejection, or abandonment. There may be a tendency to lash out at individuals for minor perceived notions of loss.

Another feature of BPD is a tendency for self-harming behavior such as cutting. BPD patients are prone to experiencing recurrent suicidal behaviors, gestures, and threats. Suicide rates in the U.S are amongst the highest in those with BPD occurring in upwards of 10% of individuals diagnosed.

What Causes BPD?

The science of what causes BPD is not yet fully understood, but researchers at the National Institute of Mental health can agree that there are some main contributing factors

Genetics: There is no specific gene profile that correlates with causing BPD directly, but research suggests those with a close family member who also has BPD may be at higher risk of developing the mental illness

Environmental Factors: Those who experience early childhood trauma, included but not limited to physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, grief, and loss- are at increased risk of developing BPD and related behavioral addictions.

Brain Function: Research shows that the portions of the brain that control emotions and decision-making may not communicate optimally with one another in patients with BPD.

BPD and Substance Abuse

Over the year’s studies have shown that having any psychiatric disorder increases the risk of having a substance use disorder. Depending upon the mental health disorder criteria, some mental health diagnoses put individuals at greater risk of dependency issues with alcohol or drug abuse than others. Personality disorders carry a greater risk than either mood or anxiety disorders for the individual to develop a drug and alcohol addiction and anorexia nervosa, binge eating/purging type disorder. It is essential to acknowledge when you may be struggling with mental health and substance abuse and seek the appropriate dual diagnosis treatment.

Is There A Cure For BPD?

While borderline personality disorder is not curable, it is treatable. A wide array of therapies and modalities have proven effective in decreasing symptoms and negative side effects. These include.

Psychotherapy: also called talk therapy, is a treatment approach that helps the individual learn to manage uncomfortable emotions, reduce impulsiveness, work on interpersonal relationships, and provide knowledge and education about BPD.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is a treatment approach that helps individuals learn to gain and utilize emotional coping skills and tools to build distress tolerance. DBT skill-building helps individuals gain confidence, improve relationships, and self-actualize.
Medications: Consulting with a psychiatrist or mental health provider may help with finding an individualized medication regimen and treatment plan that helps combat negative symptoms of BPD such as anxiety, depressions, and mood swings

Recovery Takes Time

The recovery process takes time and patience. It’s ok that progress may be made in small steps. Opening to the possibility of receiving services can be a powerful start. Acknowledging your symptoms and finding yourself the appropriate team professionals, mental health assistance, or addiction treatment providers could be the way to save your life or that of your loved one. Many treatment programs offer residential, outpatient, and sober living services to help get you started in your recovery.

What We Do

At Warner Park Recovery, our dedicated team of recovery experts will guide you in establishing and meeting your recovery goals through psychotherapy, DBT, group skill-building, and other holistic activities. We offer individual therapy sessions weekly to all our clients as well as psychology services.

We want you to know that you are far from alone in this process. Our mission is to surround you with a team of trusted support to get you to where you want to be in your life. We understand that your unique experience cannot be confined to a one size fits all approach. We want to know what your needs are and create the treatment plan that works for you.

Reach Out Today!

If you or anyone you know is dealing with issues around mental health or addiction, contact us for a full evaluation and treatment options. We understand that it is not a process that any individual should tackle alone, and that is why we have a team of qualified personnel who are available to offer you the help you need.