Keeley has struggled to maintain relationships ever since she was young. She makes strong connections quickly but tends to push people away with her emotional outbursts and impulsive behavior. Over time, Keeley starts to feel less in control of her emotional state. She experiences intense mood swings, alternating between feeling terrible and feeling great in the course of a few hours. She feels fed up and doesn’t know what to do.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious health condition that can make life more difficult for people like Keeley. Symptoms of BPD can include mood swings, intense emotional states, and a fear of rejection and abandonment. These symptoms might make it harder for someone to excel and build strong personal relationships.
Therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals can work with their clients to diagnose BPD and treat its symptoms. Consider calling our office today if you want to speak with a licensed mental health professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Phoenix, AZ. One of our team members will answer your questions and help you schedule your first appointment.
Do I Have Borderline Personality Disorder? Signs and Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder can go undiagnosed for years — knowing the symptoms and signs can help you decide whether you might benefit by talking to a professional. People with BPD experience a wide variety of symptoms that can interfere with normal functioning.
Some of the most common symptoms of BPD include:
- Mood swings
- Fear of real or imagined abandonment
- Self-harm
- Explosive anger
- Intense emotions
- Impulsivity and destructive behaviors
- Uncertain or shifting self-image
- Feeling suspicious or out of touch with reality
It’s common for someone with BPD to have other concurring mental disorders. Some of the most common are depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, and anxiety disorders. At Thriveworks, our licensed professionals have the experience and knowledge to create a personalized treatment plan that treats both BPD and other conditions as needed.
Working with a mental health professional can help you learn how to manage your BPD and find a happier, healthier state of mind. Call our office today if you want to work with a therapist or counselor from Thriveworks Counseling in Phoenix, AZ.
Borderline Personality Disorder Counseling — What To Expect
Treatment for BPD usually focuses on helping people with the disorder learn how to manage their emotions, mitigate their symptoms, and build healthier relationships. Most treatment plans involve some form of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy
Psychotherapy can help you talk about your experience with the disorder and teach you coping methods and skills to reduce its impact on your life. Some of the most commonly used types of psychotherapy for BPD include:
- Transference-focused therapy (TFT): This form of psychotherapy aims at helping someone with BPD understand the cause of their disorder and build new, healthier patterns of thought and behavior. The client “transfers” some of their feelings to their therapist or counselor. Then, the session can focus on unpacking emotions and examining patterns of thought.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This is an approach to therapy that can help people learn how to cope with and change negative emotions. DBT teaches four main skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation. Learning these skills and examining your mental state can help you manage your BPT symptoms.
Do you think psychotherapy could help you cope with borderline personality disorder? Call us today at Thriveworks Counseling in Phoenix, AZ to get started.
BPD Counseling and Therapy Appointments in Phoenix, AZ
Working with a mental health professional can help you reduce your BPD symptoms and live a happier, healthier life. Call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Phoenix, AZ to set up your first appointment.
At Thriveworks, we think that everyone should have access to valuable mental health care if they want it. Our providers offer evening and weekend sessions so you can always find time for an appointment. We also offer a flexible cancellation policy — simply contact us a few days before your session to reschedule for a better time.
We accept health insurance and offer virtual counseling sessions so you can attend therapy without having to leave your home. Many of our clients love working with their provider over the phone or through a video chat because it’s a comfortable and convenient way to access mental health services.
Thriveworks clients also get access to resources rarely found at other counseling centers. You can contact your provider between sessions, use our 24-hour “Dear Abby” question support, and participate in the Thriveworks community discussion board. These kinds of resources can help you make progress between sessions.
Borderline personality disorder doesn’t have to rule your life — working with a mental health professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Phoenix, AZ can help. Call our office today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you.
