What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that impacts a person’s ability to regulate their emotions. They often have extreme emotions that result in impulsive actions they later regret. This lack of control hurts a person’s opinion of themselves and can negatively impact their relationships with friends, family, and coworkers.
BPD often begins in early adulthood, but it can affect older adults as well. Not everyone has symptoms long-term, as some young people have symptoms improve as they get older.
Unfortunately, borderline personality disorder is highly correlated with substance abuse. Studies show that 78% of adults with borderline personality disorder develop a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Having these co-occurring conditions requires integrated treatment by mental health professionals to address both issues at once. That’s why our team specializes in dual-diagnosis treatment.
At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our therapists offer evidence-based treatment like talk therapy sessions, psychotherapy treatment, and addiction treatment to help you address borderline personality disorder and co-occurring disorders.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
People with borderline personality disorder often feel very unstable and insecure. They struggle with anxiety and strong feelings. Some of the symptoms defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual include:
- Extreme fear of abandonment, leading to frantic efforts to avoid real or perceived abandonment by loved ones
- Unstable relationships characterized by extreme and opposite feelings about someone, like alternating between love and hate
- A distorted and unstable self-image, which impacts their ability to set goals, build relationships, and maintain stable moods and values
- Dangerous impulsive behaviors, like unsafe sex, drug use, or reckless driving
- Self-destructive behaviors or self-harm, including suicide attempts and threats
- Intense periods of depression, irritability, or anxiety
- Chronically feeling bored or empty
- Intense emotions such as extreme, uncontrollable anger, followed by shame and guilt about their behavior
- Disassociation, or disconnecting from the world around them
- Stress-related paranoid thoughts and brief psychotic episodes
Fortunately, those with BPD can learn to control intense emotions and overcome self-destructive behavior. Getting the right treatment from mental health professionals at a treatment center can allow you to overcome BPD symptoms, improve impulse control, and improve relationships.
Get The Care You Need and Deserve
Woburn Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.
Causes of BPD
It’s not clear exactly what causes borderline personality disorder, but research suggests that it’s a combination of factors similar to other mental health issues. You could be at a higher risk of BPD based on:
- Genetics: It’s common for someone who has family members with borderline personality disorder to have a higher risk of developing the condition.
- Environmental Factors: People who experience significant trauma, such as abuse during childhood, neglect, or separation from their parents, are at an increased risk of BPD
- Brain Function: The way the brain handles emotions may be different in those with borderline personality disorder. The portion of the brain that manages judgment and decision-making may not communicate well with the part that manages emotions.
As with all mental health conditions, each person will experience borderline personality disorder differently. Our team at Woburn Addiction Treatment will work to understand all of your needs as we treat BPD and any other addiction and mental health issues. We’ll do full assessments and evaluations to ensure you get an effective treatment plan.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Bipolar Disorder and Others
The instability that is inherent in borderline personality disorder makes it common to have additional mental health conditions. Borderline personality disorder, characterized by impulsive behaviors and mood swings, can result in additional issues.
As a result, those with BPD may also have other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders. They might struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they’ve had significant trauma that contributed to their condition.
Managing other mental health conditions along with BPD, addiction and other concerns is a lot to handle, but you’re not in this alone. We can provide a variety of evidence-based options at our treatment center, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), talk therapy, individual therapy, and more.
Overcoming BPD symptoms is possible. When symptoms improve, you’ll find you won’t feel guilty as often, and you’ll feel uncomfortable less often.
Types Of Psychotherapy Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder
Overcoming BPD and associated mental health disorders and associated mental disorders is challenging, but the right treatment plan can help you break free. You might need residential treatment, especially if you have co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse. On the other hand, outpatient programs might be enough to meet your needs.
You’ll also experience a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches, skills training, and psychotherapy to help you improve relationships, build coping skills, and control intense emotions. This will help you create a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Treatment Settings at a BPD Treatment Center
There are two primary treatment settings to treat borderline personality disorder: residential and outpatient.
A residential treatment program allows you to live at the treatment center and is best for those with severe BPD symptoms and/or significant co-occurring disorders. For example, if you struggle with anxiety, depression, substance use, self-harm, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health conditions, having 24/7 support can be the best way to treat BPD and provide a solid foundation for recovery.
Outpatient treatment programs range from full-time day programs to general outpatient care that meets two hours a week. In an outpatient program, you live at home or in a stable housing environment outside of the therapy sessions. You’ll get talk therapy using dialectical behavior therapy and other proven approaches provided by mental health professionals.
Some of the most common outpatient treatment options for borderline personality disorder include:
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): In a partial hospitalization program, you meet six to eight hours a day, five days a week. This is the most intensive form of outpatient care and can provide many of the same benefits as residential treatment. You’ll participate in talk therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, and skills training classes. PHPs can also provide group therapy and address co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): An intensive outpatient program meets a few times a week for three hours per session. Research suggests that this is a good step-down option after residential care or a PHP. You’ll receive individual psychotherapy, group therapy, therapy with family members, and skills to help you manage emotions and challenging behaviors.
- General Outpatient Care: General outpatient treatment offers ongoing support to treat BPD once the more intensive treatment options are complete and you’re experiencing more stability. You’ll still have talk therapy using approaches like dialectical behavior therapy, and you’ll be able to talk about unstable relationships, thoughts of self-harm, and any other ongoing challenges. Family therapy is also available to help you continue to improve relationships.
Talk Therapy and Other Proven Approaches to Treat BPD
Effective borderline personality disorder treatment requires proven approaches. At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our mental health professionals are trained in multiple evidence-based care methods that can address both BPD, addiction, and mental health.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): When most people think of therapy, they imagine sitting one-on-one with a therapist. Many times, the therapist will use CBT to help them challenge thoughts that result from anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder. Having the skills to reframe your thoughts can help you control your behaviors more effectively.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT can be especially helpful for those struggling with borderline personality disorder because it focuses on helping you manage intense emotions and improve emotional regulation. Your therapist can help you develop skills in mindfulness, tolerance of distressing feelings, and interpersonal relationships. DBT can also help with depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and other co-occurring disorders.
- Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT): Mentalization-based therapy is a type of treatment that helps you recognize and understand your own mental state, as well as the feelings and thoughts of others. Your therapist will help you consider different perspectives and identify the mental processes and feelings involved in various situations. This can also help with depression and anxiety as well as other mental health concerns.
All of these approaches allow a professional therapist to help you rethink situations you face and understand them in different ways. This improves relationships, lessens depression, and enables you to manage your behaviors more effectively. As a result, you can design a life that aligns with your values and manage your BPD symptoms so they don’t interfere with your goals.
Get the Treatment You Need for Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Use
Living with borderline personality disorder can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Fortunately, you can treat BPD symptoms and improve your life. At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our team is ready to address BPD and any co-occurring disorders you have, including substance abuse. We offer integrated dual-diagnosis treatment that can help you embrace a happier, healthier future. If you’re ready to get started on your road to recovery, contact us today.
