Borderline Personality Disorder
Intense emotions and turbulent relationships don't have to define you. With the right treatment, people with BPD can lead stable, fulfilling lives.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by difficulty regulating emotions, unstable relationships, and an uncertain sense of identity. It's often rooted in early trauma or invalidating environments, but it's highly treatable with the right combination of therapy and medication support.
Emotional Symptoms
- Intense, rapidly shifting emotions
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Inappropriate, intense anger
- Difficulty controlling emotional reactions
- Emotional sensitivity and reactivity
Relationship Symptoms
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Unstable, intense relationships
- Idealizing then devaluing people (splitting)
- Difficulty trusting others
- Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
Behavioral Symptoms
- Impulsive behaviors (spending, sex, substance use, reckless driving)
- Self-harm or suicidal behavior
- Unstable sense of self or identity
- Dissociative symptoms or feeling disconnected
- Paranoid thoughts during stress
BPD is Highly Treatable
Despite stigma, BPD has one of the best prognoses of any personality disorder. With proper treatment:
86%
achieve remission within 10 years
50%
recover within 2 years of treatment
DBT
is highly effective for most patients
BPD Treatment at Next Step Psychiatry
Medication supports therapy by reducing emotional intensity so you can engage more fully in treatment
Mood Stabilizers
Medications like Lamictal and Depakote can help reduce emotional volatility and mood swings.
Antidepressants
SSRIs and SNRIs help manage depression, anxiety, and some impulsive symptoms.
Low-Dose Antipsychotics
When indicated, these can help with paranoid thinking, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation.
DBT Therapy Coordination
We coordinate with therapists providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy, the gold-standard treatment for BPD.
The Role of Medication in BPD
While there's no medication specifically "for" BPD, medications can effectively target specific symptoms:
- Mood swings and emotional reactivity
- Impulsive behaviors
- Depression and anxiety
- Paranoid thinking and dissociation
Why Choose Next Step Psychiatry?
Non-Judgmental Care
We understand BPD without stigma. You'll receive compassionate care without judgment.
Therapy Coordination
We work closely with DBT and other specialized therapists for comprehensive care.
Crisis Support
We're here when you need us, with same-day appointments for urgent situations.
Crisis Support
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) immediately. You can also text "HELLO" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Help is available 24/7.
Recovery from BPD is Possible
You are not your diagnosis. With the right treatment, you can build stable relationships, manage emotions, and create the life you deserve.