Borderline Personality Disorder—Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Almost everyone struggles with their emotions and behaviors at times. For people with borderline personality disorder, these struggles are severe, recurring, and long lasting.

People suffering from borderline personality disorder experience extreme thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that permeate nearly every aspect of their lives. Treating this disorder can be difficult, but with enough time and effort, most people with severe symptoms can experience a significant improvement.

Let’s take a look at what borderline personality is, where it comes from, and how it can be treated. 

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that’s characterized by emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, and self-esteem issues. People with BPD often have a negative self-view, a lack of trust, and intense fears of abandonment.

Personality disorders can be grouped into clusters, and BPD is considered a Cluster B disorder. Other Cluster B personality disorders include:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
• Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)

Cluster B disorders are characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic personalities, and they often struggle with emotional regulation, impulse control, and interpersonal relationships.

‍Read our related article for more information on emotional dysregulation.

Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms

People with BPD are known to experience a wide range of symptoms, some of which include:

• Intense mood swings
• Harmful or risky behaviors
• Aggressive behaviors
• Unstable self-image
• Unstable relationships
• Intense fear of being left alone or abandoned

Many of these symptoms overlap with other personality and mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can make it difficult to diagnose individuals that may have this particular disorder. 

Is Borderline Personality Disorder Genetic?

Although BPD tends to run in families, the exact causes of this disorder are unknown. While there may be a genetic factor at play, there are several environmental and neurological factors that are also known to play a role in the development of this disorder.

Certain environmental factors, such as childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse, are often found in people suffering from BPD. Specific areas of the brain that are responsible for regulating emotions and controlling impulses are also known to be different in those with BPD.

Read our related article to discover the link between childhood trauma and emotional dysregulation.

How Is Borderline Personality Disorder Treated?

The main goals of BPD treatment are managing symptoms, healing trauma, and reversing harmful thoughts and behaviors. By doing this, someone can raise their self esteem, improve their relationships, and live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Treatment often involves a combination of therapy and medication. Certain therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, can teach someone how to regulate their emotions and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. 

Specific medications, like antidepressants and mood stabilizers, may also be prescribed to help someone manage their symptoms. Although it’s a difficult disorder to treat, someone with BPD can make significant progress with ongoing treatment and support.

Why Is Borderline Personality Disorder Difficult to Treat?

Treating this disorder not only involves managing symptoms, but it also involves healing the childhood trauma that’s often at the root of BPD. This is a challenging and lengthy process that requires trust, a long-term commitment to therapy, and a very strict environment to provide stability.

Unfortunately, the severe symptoms that come with BPD make it difficult for someone to receive the treatment they need. Emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors make it difficult for them to stick with treatment long-term, and they often struggle with trusting their therapists. 

For many people with BPD, these struggles are deeply woven into their identities. It takes a lot of time and effort to change how they think and behave, and they need to be committed to ongoing treatment. This is difficult for people with personality disorders, and it’s common for them to stop treatment early or halt progress if they experience a recurrence of their symptoms.

‍Read our related article to discover the importance of setting goals for treatment.

Can Borderline Personality Disorder Be Cured?

Similar to other personality disorders, BPD isn’t curable. To be cured means to be completely free from all symptoms and effects. Although it can’t be cured, it can be treated.

People with BPD can see a significant improvement in their lives through consistent treatment. Although they won’t be cured completely, it will be much easier for them to regulate their emotions, control their impulses, and build healthy relationships.

Is Sequoia Behavioral Health the Right Fit for You?

Borderline personality disorder is a complex mental health disorder that requires a high level of specialized care. At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we have experience in treating personality disorders like BPD, but we understand that every case is unique. 

If you or a loved one needs help treating BPD, contact us today to see if we are the right fit. Our team of mental health experts is here to help you navigate your healing journey.