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Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/ Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). 

Talk therapies are here to help you find better ways to live your life

What is BPD?

Personality disorders are associated with ways of thinking and feeling about oneself and others that significantly and adversely affect how an individual functions in many aspects of life.

BPD is the most common personality disorder and is characterised by mood difficulties and difficulties engaging with others.

Features of BPD 

There are many symptoms of BPD that can be grouped into a number of distinct categories.

  • A person with BPD will have significant emotional instability or dysregulation – meaning that they will experience their emotions intensely (anger, sadness) and can often change emotional presentation quickly.
  • An individual with BPD may also be impulsive, leading to self-harm, binge-eating, self-destructive behaviours, excessive drug or alcohol consumption, etc.
  • Interpersonal difficulties are also a symptom of BPD, and the individual may have intense, unstable relationships.
  • An individual with BPD may also have an unusual way of thinking or perceiving situations. It is not uncommon for individuals with BPD to experience suicidal ideation.
  • Individuals with BPD can also present with a range of other mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar, eating disorders, and addiction issues.

 

What causes BPD?

There are no specific causes of BPD but it is thought that there are both genetic and environmental factors associated with BPD.

  • Often people with BPD suffer a trauma in childhood i.e., sexual abuse, parental neglect, and physical or emotional abuse.

 

What Treatments works?

There are a wide variety of psychological interventions that can be helpful for people with BPD:

  • Behavioural interventions which have used CBT have demonstrated positive results.
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is the therapy type that has proven most efficacious in treating BPD. DBT treatment can be provided on an individual basis but is more commonly run in groups. Treatment typically lasts one year. DBT focuses on; mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy has also seen success in helping individuals challenge rigid thoughts and attitudes, manage relationships, and improve the way they feel about themselves.

 

Benefits of Psychotherapy for borderline personality disorders – Book Today

  • Improves communication skills and expressions of feeling/thoughts.
  • Helps examine unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a non-judgemental space.
  • Relieves accompanying symptoms of depression, anxiety and low self-confidence.
  • Helps identify potential stress triggers.
  • Together with your therapist develops health coping strategies.

 

First steps if you think you have BPD

If you have concerns that you might be suffering from BPD please contact your GP who will be able to discuss your treatment options.

If you are experiencing symptoms that impact your daily life it is important that you seek assistance.

 

Therapy for BPD at City Therapy

Our team of highly skilled psychotherapists and psychologists have many years of experience working with personality disorders. Through our “right fit” process, we will help you find the right therapist to start your therapy journey today.