What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

July 13th, 2024

Content warning: please be advised that this article contains mentions of suicide.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a mental health disorder that impacts the way individuals think and feel about themselves and others. BPD can cause emotional and behavioral disturbances, problems in everyday functioning, negative self-image, and unstable relationships.

Borderline personality disorder emerges around young/early adulthood; it can seem worse in the early years, but BPD symptoms can gradually get better as time progresses. For people with BPD, proper therapy and psychiatric treatment from qualified professionals, as well as a healthy support system from others dealing with borderline personality disorder, can be especially helpful early on.

Keep reading to learn more about borderline personality disorder!

What are Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms?

Common borderline personality disorder symptoms include intense fear of abandonment, unhealthy relationships, negative self-image, chronic stress, impulsive behavior, suicidal behavior, mood swings, feelings of sadness, and inappropriate emotional affect. To further elaborate on the common symptomatology, here is a helpful breakdown:

BPD Symptoms:

Fear of Abandonment - Specifically, the fear of separation or rejection in relationships. Individuals with BPD may avoid others or take extreme measures to please others to maintain a relationship.
Unstable relationships - Individuals with BPD in relationships struggle with constantly changing feelings for their significant other. They may exhibit intense emotions such as idealization, infatuation, and strong emotional/sexual intimacy, and at other times they may express anger, pain, and hurtful emotions.
Negative self-image - Individuals with BPD may have a very negative view of themselves and will constantly believe that they are “not good enough” as well as having thoughts such as “people do not like me,” “I am an unlovable person,” and so on. This can lead to a very low sense of self-value and constant feelings of worthlessness.
Impulsive behavior - Impulsive behavior in individuals with BPD can be seen through certain actions and day-to-day activities. Some impulsive behaviors include over-spending, reckless driving, gambling, substance abuse, quitting jobs/schools randomly, and having unhealthy eating habits.
Suicidal behavior - Individuals with BPD may face increased suicide ideations, self-harming, plans, and attempts. Some people with BPD may threaten to hurt or kill themselves in order to force the people they're in relationships with to stay with them.
Feelings of sadness - Individuals with BPD may feel stuck in periods of low moods without many periods of high moods, which leads to persistent feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and worthlessness. They can also go through periods of high stress and lose contact with themselves and others over extended periods of time.
Inappropriate emotional affect - Individuals with BPD face constant mood swings, irritability, intense emotions, or a lack of emotional affect.

borderline personality disorder symptoms

What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?

It is unclear what may cause borderline personality disorder, but research focuses on genetics and brain abnormalities as the leading causes. Additionally, many people with BPD report trauma in early childhood. It is important to see a medical professional and have this conversation if you know of BPD runs in your family or have had a stressful childhood. Once you receive a consensus, it is important to seek the appropriate help you need.

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatments

It’s important to mention that borderline personality disorder can only be diagnosed and treated by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. Only trained and experienced health care professionals can perform accurate borderline personality disorder testing.

The most widely used BPD treatment is called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). With DBT individuals can work to gain emotional coping mechanisms, life skills training, and work on emotional balance/control in individual psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is also used to help treat BPD symptoms, it can help reduce mood swings, anxiety symptoms, and self-harming or suicidal behaviors.

It is also important to speak to a psychiatrist if an individual with BPD would like some assistance with medication management. Currently, there is no specific medication to treat BPD itself, but your physician may provide some medication management to alleviate borderline personality disorder symptoms of anxiety and depression. This can help with the early onset of BPD and help with some of the BPD symptoms mentioned above.

An essential component for borderline personality disorder treatment is a healthy support system. A support group is a place where people can come together to share their personal experiences, give and receive support, and create a safe space to share information.

There are many ways that one can find support systems in their communities for mental health disorders. Reach out to your therapist or psychiatrist to help look at available support group programs in medical facilities or organizations.

Borderline Personality Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Bipolar Disorder are two distinct mental health conditions that can be easily confused due to some overlapping symptoms, such as mood swings. However, they differ significantly in their causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):

Mood Swings: Mood swings in BPD are typically triggered by interpersonal stressors and can last for a few hours to a few days.
Core Symptoms: Include intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, self-harm, chronic feelings of emptiness, and intense, inappropriate anger.
Behavior: BPD is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions.
Onset and Course: Symptoms usually begin in early adulthood and can be persistent, although they may lessen with age.
Treatment: Primarily involves psychotherapy, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and may include medications to manage specific symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder:

Mood Swings: Bipolar Disorder involves distinct episodes of mania/hypomania and depression, each lasting for weeks to months.
Core Symptoms: Manic episodes include elevated mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behaviors. Depressive episodes involve feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities.
Behavior: Bipolar Disorder is characterized by cyclical mood changes that are not necessarily triggered by external events.
Onset and Course: Typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and can have periods of stability between episodes.
Treatment: Often includes a combination of medication (mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants) and psychotherapy.

How to Help Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder?

Helping someone with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) requires understanding, patience, and a willingness to support them through their challenges. It’s important that you take the time to educate yourself about BPD to better understand their experiences and symptoms.

Encourage treatment by encouraging them to seek professional help, you can even offer to help them find a qualified therapist or psychiatrist. Make sure to listen to them without judgment and validate their feelings, even if you don't fully understand them. Avoid dismissing their emotions as overreactions as well.

It’s important for you to also establish healthy boundaries to protect your own well-being while being supportive. Help them develop and practice healthy coping strategies, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and exercise. Lastly, understand that progress can be slow and setbacks can happen, with continuous support and encouragement they can get back on track.

Living With Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder

Living with someone who has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be challenging, but with the right approach, it is possible to maintain a healthy and supportive relationship. Like we mentioned before, make sure you take the time to educate yourself on BPD and its symptoms.

Ensure you are practicing self care to take care of your own mental and physical health and avoid any burnout. It’s also a good idea to have a strong support system such as close friends, family, and a therapist of your own.

Try to offer a stable and predictable environment to help them feel secure, staying consistent with your actions and responses can help reduce their anxiety. Most importantly, encourage professional help and support their BPD treatment process. This can be done by helping them attend therapy sessions and encouraging them to stick with their medication plans.

Are You Dealing With Borderline Personality Disorder?

If you or a loved one is seeking borderline personality disorder treatment please schedule an appointment with Clarity Clinic by clicking the link below. At Clarity Clinic, we have highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists who specialize in BPD.

To learn more about how we can support your mental health, call Clarity Clinic at (312) 815-9660 or schedule an appointment at one of our mental health clinic locations in the Loop, River North, Evanston, Lakeview Broadway, or Arlington Heights, Chicago, IL.

If you or anyone you know is exhibiting suicidal behavior linked to BPD please call your nearest emergency healthcare provider, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255), or reach out to the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Borderline Personality Disorder Testing

Related Readings:

Understanding High-Functioning Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder: Your Questions Answered

Do I have borderline personality disorder?
Only a mental health professional can diagnose borderline personality disorder (BPD). If you experience intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, and fear of abandonment, please book a consultation with one of our psychiatrists at Clarity Clinic.

Is borderline personality disorder genetic?
Yes, genetics can play a role in BPD. Research suggests that BPD may run in families, indicating a genetic component.

How to treat borderline personality disorder?
BPD is commonly treated with psychotherapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Medications may also be prescribed to manage symptoms.

Why is it called borderline personality disorder?
It is called BPD because it was originally thought to be on the "borderline" between neurosis and psychosis. This term has persisted even as understanding of the disorder has evolved.

What does BPD mean?
BPD stands for Borderline Personality Disorder, a mental health condition characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.

What triggers someone with BPD?
Triggers can include interpersonal stress, perceived abandonment or rejection, and traumatic events. These can lead to intense emotional reactions and impulsive behavior.

How does someone with BPD act?
Individuals with BPD may exhibit intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive actions, self-harm, and extreme sensitivity to rejection or abandonment.

What happens if BPD is untreated?
Untreated BPD can lead to chronic emotional instability, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, self-harm, and increased risk of suicide. BPD is a lifelong condition, which is why it is important to receive consistent treatment to improve quality of life.