BPD, or Borderline Personality Disorder, is a condition that impacts an individual’s perception of themselves and others. It tends to be characterized by emotions and relationships that are unstable and intense, with significant degrees of self-doubt and insecurity. This feeling of instability can extend to an individual’s patterns of thought, moods, relationships, and even identity. Those suffering from BPD describe their experience as having an exposed nerve end, making them unusually sensitive to even minor triggers.
Understanding The BPD Experience and Its Treatments
Borderline Personality Disorder can profoundly impact the lives of those living with it. Emotional instability is an everyday companion for these individuals. Their likes, dislikes, goals, and self-image can be warped and distorted. This leads to confusion about their sense of self and a constant unease living in their skin. This leads to sufferers having intense emotions and acting impulsively. They are prone to experiencing paranoia and profound dissociation when under significant distress. The common inability to self-soothe in these individuals can lead to dangerous, impulsive, and reckless behavior.
Further complicating BPD sufferers’ situation is the common presence of other disorders. These comorbid disorders can include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Substance Use Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is still poorly understood, even by mental health providers. This confusion about BPD can impact how people are treated and influence treatment attempts. Those living with BPD can feel discouraged about seeking treatment, especially if they’ve encountered this kind of confusion.
Thankfully, the prominent myth about Borderline Personality Disorder being untreatable is false. There are numerous approaches to treatment that are successful in managing the condition. Mentalization-based treatment, dialectical behavior therapy, and transference-focused psychotherapy are effective approaches. These treatments mean that BPD is not a lifelong sentence. Their symptoms may ebb and flow, but it’s possible to live a high-functioning life with proper care.
There is also no foundation for the idea that women are more prone to experiencing this condition. There are over 14 million BPD sufferers in the United States alone. While it tends to be more commonly diagnosed in women, wide-scale studies suggest it is equally prevalent in all parts of the gender spectrum. These same studies show that male-presenting individuals are more commonly misdiagnosed with PTSD or depression.
Speak To Your Mental Health Provider For Further Guidance
If you suspect you or someone you love is suffering from BPD, reach out to your mental health provider. They can provide tips on identifying if this condition is present and how to help the individual seek help. The sooner that treatment is begun, the sooner the symptoms can be managed, and the quality of life will improve. Reach out to your provider to schedule a consultation today. They’ll bring you in for an appointment, address your concerns, answer your questions, and start taking steps to help to address BPD.
