Chemical dependence can greatly affect the life of an individual. Dependence on these harmful substances can affect the behavior as well as the basic functioning. Without proper guidance and timely intervention, it can lead to addiction, which is much worse.
In some addiction cases, it gradually overlaps into another mental health disorder, which is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is a condition that impacts both everyday lives as well as relationships. BPD can be dangerous and pose a risk to life because of the symptoms that come with it.
There are even instances when BPD comeS with other mental health issues like depression. So what does BPD look like, and why does therapy help?
With BPD, there is distress over relationships due to an intense fear of abandonment. It may feel difficult or even intolerable to be alone. It intensifies the longing for lasting relationships yet inadvertently sets it back because of inappropriate anger and impulsiveness.
The loneliness becomes insurmountable for them as they take measures to prevent situations where the people they love leave. Borderline Personality Disorder greatly affects the self-image. It leads to form harmful and negative beliefs about oneself.
Even when it sounds discouraging, most people with BPD can manage to cope better and, in turn, live a better life with treatment.
Now, getting treatment for BPD may seem difficult at first. Of course, there are obvious factors such as cost and accessibility. However, there is the stigma of BPD that makes it challenging for both therapists and those seeking treatment.
It’s essential to try not to let these factors dishearten you. There are plenty of support systems out there available. Therapy for BPD can come in many forms, including individual and group counseling. For the most part, treatment for BPD is usually a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy.
The therapist will first figure out the current situation. They will then observe how the patient currently functions to determine how sessions can tailor-fit for their needs. In these sessions, the patients will learn skills and ways of thinking to help them cope and manage their condition.
Over time, treatment can effectively teach the patient how to sit with uncomfortable emotions and manage their responses. Moreover, it will also guide how to work on improving relationships through self-awareness and empathy.
If you are interested to learn more about how therapy works for BPD, we answered the frequently asked questions below.
Can you self-treat BPD?
Borderline personality disorder or BPD is a dangerous disorder that may need treatment from certified mental health professionals. However, there are self-help methods for individuals with BPD to reduce symptoms and BPD episodes.
- Education: It is significant to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis, symptoms, accessible medications, and other characteristics of the condition. There is proof that just getting educated about BPD can help relieve symptoms.
- Emotional Processing and Expression in BPD: There is some evidence indicating that creative writing or any activity where you can express your emotion has beneficial effects, including improved physical health and decreased psychological symptoms.
Can BPD be cured without therapy?
The symptoms of the condition will abate and fade through time, even without medication. Several individuals with BPD can live life at a better pace than others, so treatment for every individual is different.
How long does therapy take for BPD?
It usually takes around 70 to 120 sessions and may also require more. Sometimes sessions are arranged once every two weeks but are commonly conducted every week.
Why do therapists find it difficult to treat BPD?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that is difficult to handle because it is complicated and stigmatized. Moreover, its symptoms represent deeply embedded thinking and behavior patterns.
What triggers BPD episodes?
Triggers are specific occurrences or circumstances that intensify or worsen BPD symptoms instantly.
- Interpersonal relationship triggers: Relationship triggers are the most common BPD trigger. Several individuals with BPD have an elevated sensitivity to being abandoned. They can feel severe dread and rage, impulsive behavior, self-harm, or even suicidal tendencies in occurrences.
- Cognitive triggers: Memories that tend to appear from nowhere may cause extreme anxiety and other BPD signs. For people who have BPD, traumatic events such as child violence may cause triggers. Simultaneously, memory, place, or picture of a previous trauma or suffering experience can also trigger intense emotions.
How do you calm down a Borderline Personality Disorder?
One of the best and simplest ways to quickly soothe yourself when having a BPD episode is to engage your senses.
- Try to take a warm shower or bath, nuzzling underneath bed covers, or hugging a pet.
- Consume something relaxing, like warm tea or soup.
- Light a scented candle, start aromatherapy, spray and smell your preferred perfume or anything that smells good.
- Concentrate on a picture that catches your attention.
- Put on calming music or listen to nature’s stimulating sounds, such as rain, wind, or the ocean.
Does BPD ever go away?
Outcomes may vary, with some coping better than others. The condition might not go away, but it is manageable for a better quality of living.
What happens if BPD is left untreated?
The impact of borderline personality could be severe if ignored. It applies not just to the patient dealing with the condition but also to their family and friends. The following are some of the most common symptoms of untreated BPD:
- Interpersonal relationship issues
- Loss of job
- Self-harm
- A tendency to participate in dangerous activities
- A general sense of confusion
Are borderlines intelligent?
An individual with a borderline condition may be brilliant, intelligent, warm, polite, and highly-capable. Before their defensive structure collapses, they will sustain this image for several years until they experience a traumatic event. Triggers are different for everyone. It can be a breakup or death of a loved one or other reasons.
Do therapists hate borderlines?
Several therapists share the overall stigma regarding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients. Owing to the belief that they are hard to handle, a few even stopped dealing with BPD patients. Handling BPDs take up a lot of the attention and effort of the therapists.
Furthermore, very few conventional treatment methods in a therapist’s repertoire are useful for individuals suffering from BPD.
Can a person with BPD really love?
An individual with BPD can love and undergo love-related feelings, like attraction, affection, admiration, and desire. They can have a strong degree of commitment to a romantic relationship. However, it’s crucial to remember that individuals with BPD have exceptionally sensitive characteristics.
Therefore, they will likely exhibit strenuous behaviors and responses in their relationships if it goes out of control.
Does BPD go away with age?
Borderline personality disorder typically occurs in young adulthood. BPD appears to be severe in young adulthood, but individuals with the condition may progressively get healthier with age.
Borderline Personality Disorder is dangerous if left untreated. It affects individuals by putting them in unsafe situations. Moreover, it also affects loved ones and other relationships. The thing about BPD is, despite the bursts of anger and mood swings, it still seeks great relationships.
The back and forth of wanting to be accepted and loved yet unwittingly pushing people away is indeed discouraging. The intense feelings of loneliness might seem like they will last for a long time. Furthermore, episodes of anger and impulsiveness may leave feelings of distress.
Therapy for BPD will teach useful life skills which are applicable beyond talk therapy. It will teach how to cope significantly better with difficult emotions. Additionally, it will help improve your relationships and interactions with others.
Moreover, therapy is important in learning how to manage BPD episodes on one’s own properly. While it’s never wrong to seek help from others, having confidence in oneself significantly boosts the quality of living.
No matter how discouraging it may seem, it’s always best to remember that Borderline Personality Disorder is a manageable condition.
With proper help and guidance, anyone with BPD will see themselves in a better place. Through therapy, it is possible to manage the condition and improve the quality of life and relationships.