What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Signs and Symptoms
Whether you believe that you or a loved one are suffering from borderline personality disorder, developing a deeper understanding of the signs and symptoms will play an essential role in getting the help needed to thrive in the path to recovery. While the signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder can appear differently in everyone, there are a few characterizing symptoms one can watch out for. You or a loved one may be struggling with a borderline personality disorder if you are facing symptoms like:
- Excessive fear of abandonment
- Relationships that are full of ups and downs
- Unstable self-image
- Unstable self-esteem
- Acting impulsively
- Self-Harm or Suicidal Behaviors
- Volatile Moods
Coping with Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder can be complicated to deal with.
The main type of treatment is Psychotherapy, a form of talk-therapy in which the patient and therapist work together, whether one-on-one or in a group setting, to address the issues that may be causing the patient to be experiencing symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
In psychotherapy, the trust between the patient and doctor is crucial, which can be difficult as borderline personality disorder tends to leave a person struggling to feel comfortable or trusting of others. Therapy for Borderline personality disorder is often a long-term process that can require many months or even a few years.
Two common types of psychotherapy used to treat Borderline Personality Disorder include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Many people with Borderline Personality Disorder will also struggle with other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and substance use problems. Getting help for those other conditions is also very important, and speaking with a health professional can help.
Borderline personality can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, unstable, and lonely. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through it alone.
Reach out to your doctor and work with them to find the treatment that works best for you. You will be on the path to living a happier and healthier life if you pair the treatment prescribed by your doctor with healthy coping mechanisms. Remember, you are not alone- you will get through this.