Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment & Self-Test

Some people have trouble regulating their moods or experience wild mood swings. This can be a sign of immaturity, or it could be a symptom of borderline personality disorder. It's estimated that 1.6 percent of the general population in the United States struggle with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

counselor helping patients with borderline personality disorder treatment

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The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that borderline personality disorder is primarily experienced by women, with women representing around 75 percent of cases. There are many cases where borderline personality disorder is misdiagnosed as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making it more challenging to understand the scope of people with borderline personality disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder Self-Test

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

group therapy for borderline personality disorder treatment

According to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, it's a mental health disorder that causes the person to experience extreme mood swings and be unable to regulate their emotions. It also takes someone struggling with borderline personality disorder longer to return to normal after their mood swings one way or the other.

This lack of control over their emotions can cause people with BPD to act out in a variety of ways. It also makes it difficult for them to maintain healthy relationships and puts them at risk due to risky behaviors. Some people are high-functioning outside of the home, but their personal lives are in turmoil.

Borderline personality disorder can have a co-occurring disorder. This might include substance abuse disorder, where the person might use drugs or alcohol to regulate their emotions. It can also include other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and more.

Signs and Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

It can be challenging for anyone, including mental health professionals, to diagnose a borderline personality disorder. A person who struggles with borderline personality disorder or has a loved one with it needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms before asking a therapist about the possibility of this diagnosis.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of BPD:

Feelings of disassociation or out-of-body experiences
Worries constantly and takes extreme actions to avoid abandonment by friends and family
Low self-worth, including feelings of guilt or a focus on personal shortcomings.
Extreme, uncontrollable anger
Feelings of shame and regret after an emotional outburst
Personal relationships that flip back and forth between love and hate
Always bored or feeling empty inside
Poor self-image
Irritability and sadness
Impulsive and risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and spending money they don't have
Self-harm
Threats or attempts of suicide

The signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder overlap a variety of other mental health disorders, which makes it essential to allow a mental health professional to make the final diagnosis.

Long-Term Effects of Borderline Personality Disorder

When a person has a borderline personality disorder, they need to seek treatment to minimize the symptoms. There are long-term effects of not treating and regulating borderline personality disorder.

Risky and impulsive behavior can cause an array of problems. It can cause the person to assume a level of debt that they can't repay. For example, unprotected sex can result in unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.

Without treatment, a person with borderline personality disorder won't be able to sustain healthy relationships with their family or romantic partners. They may find themselves unable to hold down a job or be unable to complete their education.

If the person struggles with a dual diagnosis, they might have additional long-term effects, especially if they have a substance abuse disorder. Left untreated, borderline personality disorder can cause the person to harm themselves or attempt suicide. Treatment is essential for someone who has borderline personality disorder.

clinician working with a patient for borderline personality disorder treatment

Treatment Options for BPD

Depending on the severity of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder, a person might need to start their treatment with either inpatient or outpatient therapy. Inpatient therapy might be appropriate for a person with suicidal thoughts or acting on self-harm.

A person might need inpatient therapy as a first step to help the person begin to better regulate their emotions or to remove them from any current risky behavior. Most patients with borderline personality disorder use talk therapy as their primary form of treatment.

This can include:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

In some cases, the therapist might recommend medication for the condition. There is also the option of group therapy, family therapy, and alternative treatments. It's important for the person's recovery that they communicate openly and honestly with their therapist, so the mental health professional can access what works and what doesn't.

Benefits of Treatment for BPD

While there isn't a cure for borderline personality disorder and the causes aren't known, there are benefits to seeking therapy and learning to better control the signs and symptoms. A person can also use talk therapy to help reshape their reactions to triggers. Therapy focuses on teaching skills that help people manage their behaviors and thoughts related to BPD.

A person can use the tools they develop in therapy to work on improving relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners. When the person is better able to regulate emotions and avoid dangerous mood swings, they're able to make positive changes in their life.

A person with BPD may need to continue some level of therapy throughout their lifetime. However, the benefits of living a healthy, positive life are worth the work they put into therapy.

Learn More About Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment at California Care Recovery

Therapist with a patient treating them borderline personality disorder

A person struggling with borderline personality disorder can seek treatment and improve their overall lifestyle. This treatment can take a variety of forms, and the person needs to work closely with their therapist and other professionals to find the best course of treatment.

At California Care, we can work with someone struggling with borderline personality disorder through our mental health residential or outpatient treatment programs and therapy. We use evidence-based treatments to serve a variety of mental health conditions. Every staff member invests in our patient's well-being and recovery.

Our team at California Care Recovery is ready to help you get there. We will work closely with you on an individualized treatment plan for your depression, becoming a driving force toward recovery. We offer same-day admissions and are committed to helping our patients achieve mental and emotional stability.

Studies show that antidepressants effectively fight symptoms and prevent relapses within one to two years of treatment, while psychotherapy had a success rate of more than 70% within a year. With the right medical and mental health professionals by your side, the chances to improve from even severe clinical depression are significant.

Recovery Starts Here!

At California Care Recovery, we are here to be a positive force for mental health. We’re open 24/7 and offer same day admissions. If you or a loved one is seeking effective treatment for issues of mental health, call us now.

CALL (949) 281-0632