There is a lot of misunderstanding about personality disorders, and people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are often treated unfairly due to a wide variety of factors. Blair Wellness Group is dedicated to providing information about mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder. As licensed clinical psychologists, we want to help dispel the myths about this condition and provide accurate information to those who need it. Whether you or someone you know suffers from borderline personality disorder, or you’re just looking to educate yourself on personality disorders in general, we are here to help you and your loved ones. Read on and reach out to learn more about the disorder, and why it’s stigmatized, or get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment in Beverly Hills!
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects how people think and feel about themselves and others. People with borderline personality disorder often have intense, unstable emotions and chaotic relationships. They may also engage in impulsive or risky behaviors, such as self-harm or alcohol and drug abuse.
Who Gets Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder tends to start early in life, often during adolescence or young adulthood, and is prevalent among men and women of all ages.
What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?
The cause of borderline personality disorder is not known, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people may be more likely to develop borderline personality disorder if they experience traumatic events, such as neglect, abandonment, physical or sexual abuse in childhood.
How Is BPD Diagnosed?
Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms, behavioral patterns, mood disorders, addictions, self-injurious thoughts, instability in relationships, maladaptive tendencies and how they interfere with their life. There is no single test that can diagnose borderline personality disorder, so diagnosis typically involves talking to a Licensed Clinical Psychologist about your mood, difficulties, history, and symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of BPD?
The symptoms of borderline personality disorder vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
- Intense emotions that shift quickly from one extreme to another
- Chaotic and unstable relationships
- Impulsive behaviors, such as binge eating, drug abuse, or risky sexual behavior
- Feelings of emptiness or worthlessness
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Frequent efforts to avoid abandonment
- Having an unstable self-image or identity
- Feeling disconnected from your mind or body
How Is It Treated?
Borderline Personality Disorder can be treated under the care of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist using various evidence-based treatment modalities. Licensed Clinical Psychologists who treat borderline personality disorder specialize in this condition and can help people learn how to manage their emotions and relationships. Medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics may also be prescribed to help control symptoms.
Why Are People With BPD Treated Differently?
Research shows that many people with borderline personality disorder are treated with fear and anger, rather than compassion and empathy. Oftentimes, in society, people are labeled as their disease, rather than a person suffering from the disease. For instance, you’ll often hear “you’re a schizophrenic”, rather than “you have schizophrenia.” In order to prevent the stigmas society has created behind personality disorders such as BPD, we must work to understand why they were created in the first place.
Harsh Language Used to Describe it
One reason people with borderline personality disorder are treated unfairly is the language used to describe the condition. The term “borderline” was created in the 1930s by Dr. Karl Menninger, and it was meant to be a diagnosis of last resort. He described people with this condition as being on the border between psychosis and neurosis. Unfortunately, this label has stuck over time and has been used to describe anyone who is emotional or difficult to deal with.
The Media
The media often does not do justice by this disorder either. In movies and television shows, characters with borderline personality disorder are often portrayed as manipulative and dangerous. This can lead to further misunderstanding and stigma against those who suffer from this condition.
Lack of Understanding
Another reason people with borderline personality disorder are treated unfairly is a lack of understanding about the condition. Many people do not know what borderline personality disorder is or they mistakenly believe that it is untreatable. This can lead to feelings of isolation and shame for those who suffer from this disorder. Another reason people with borderline personality disorder are treated unfairly is a lack of understanding about the condition. Many people do not know what borderline personality disorder is, or they mistakenly believe that it is untreatable. This can lead to feelings of isolation and shame for those who suffer from this disorder. It is also often considered to be much more severe than other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, which can lead to apprehension in licensed clinical psychologists and other professionals when treating patients with BPD.
Impulsivity in Patients
One of the most frustrating experiences for people who care about someone with borderline personality disorder is their impulsive behavior and lack of self-control. People with BPD may make decisions that are harmful to themselves or others without thinking through the consequences. This can be difficult to deal with, and it often leads to feelings of anger and frustration on the part of loved ones.
Living With Borderline Personality Disorder
It’s important to remember that people with borderline personality disorder are not bad people. They are just struggling to cope with a difficult mental health condition. With the right support, they can learn to alter their behavior, improve judgment, regulate their emotions, modulate their affect, in order to enjoy healthy, adaptive, and sustainable relationships. Medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics may also be prescribed to help stabilize mood disorders while the patient is undergoing treatment under the care of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
The team of Licensed Clinical Psychologists at Blair Wellness Group specializes in the treatment of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder. Our team has the knowledge, skills, training, and expertise necessary to help properly diagnose and treat personality disorders and other mental health issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with BPD, please reach out to our licensed clinical psychologists for help. You don’t have to suffer alone!
