There are some mental illnesses that we all know and understand- anxiety, depression, and ADHD to name a few. Then there are some mental illnesses where receiving a diagnosis feels like the end of the world. These are the mental illnesses on the fringe of popular media, the ones not talked about. Borderline Personality Disorder is one of those disorders.
However, as scary as it can be to receive a diagnosis you know little about and find even less community support for, this is not the end! Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD for short) is one of the more treatable disorders once diagnosed. The problem many people living with BPD face is that their illness goes unrecognized, even by professionals. Diagnosis of depression, ADHD, or Bipolar are put in place of the true diagnosis: BPD. This makes it hard to receive the correct treatment, and the destructive pattern of BPD continues in their life.
Thriveworks in The Woodlands hopes to shine some light on BPD. You are not alone. You are not crazy. And together, healing is possible.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment today, give us a call at 281-667-9790.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder has a harsh name. Is my personality really that messed up? You might be thinking.
Of course not!
Some professionals have begun referring to BPD as Emotional Dysregulation Disorder. This not only decreases the harmful stigma of the disorder, but is a more accurate description of Borderline. Because at its core, Borderline Personality Disorder is about two things: the inability to effectively manage emotions, and immense distress around feelings of abandonment.
When gone untreated, BPD can wreak havoc in your life. It can tear away healthy relationships, create emotional turmoil, and encourage instability and recklessness. If you see any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s worth reaching out.
- Feeling empty or “dead inside”
- Reckless, impulsive, and damaging behavior (inappropriate/unsafe sex, binge eating, abusing drugs/alcohol, spending undue amounts of money, reckless driving, etc.)
- Feeling paranoid or unable to handle being abandoned, even if the abandonment is only in their imagination
- Being too open and “all-in” to people they just met
- Swinging between two extreme emotions towards other people (love and hatred, idealizing to underappreciating)
- Feelings of anger
- Self-harm or suicidal threats, thoughts, or actions
- Mood swings- when they’re not feeling empty, people with BPD will often fluctuate between emotions
Borderline Personality Disorder is not a personal flaw. Recovering and managing your symptoms is not a matter of mere willpower. Borderline Personality Disorder is something that you struggle with, not who you are. There is so much that goes into who you are, it would be a disservice to boil it all down to this one disorder!
Thriveworks The Woodlands want to help you find freedom while living with BPD so that you can lean into all the other things that make you wonderful.
What Does Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder Look Like?
When seeking out treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, remember that your disorder will be working against you. The trust issues and deep-seated fear of abandonment will make it hard to find a counselor you click with and open up to. This is okay. It is not your fault! You are taking that step and seeking help, which is a huge first step that takes a lot of courage and strength.
So, take your time. Find a counselor that you really feel like you can build a relationship with and trust. Now, it may take a while for that trust to come, but you should know relatively quickly if you will be able to make it work with a particular counselor. Thriveworks The Woodlands makes sure to keep the counseling session nonjudgmental and client-centered, but we understand if you can’t find what you are looking for here. Our main priority is to help you, however that help comes.
Once you find a counselor, you can expect two main types of counseling to take place:
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy: helps you manage relationship by teaching you how to relate to other people in a positive and effect way; addresses fear of abandonment.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: helps you control your emotions and learn how to handle emotionally charged situations; addresses anger, self-harm, and recklessness.
Depending on your situation and what you’re comfortable with, your counselor might also introduce you to mindfulness or relaxation techniques. Also, medication might be used to ease the symptoms of side effects like depression and anxiety. While there is no medication for BPD, these are common illnesses that will arise as a side effect of it.
Borderline Personality Disorder is far from the end. Recognizing and getting treatment for it is just the beginning of a life full of peace, control, and stability. Sounds like a dream? With professional counseling, it can become a reality.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment now, give us a call at 281-667-9790.
