Do you have a borderline personality disorder or know someone who does? Montare Behavioral Health of Tucson, Arizona offers treatment and therapy for borderline personality disorder.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that typically begins its onset by a person’s early adulthood. The condition can improve if the person receives managed care to help with the symptoms. Borderline personality disorder treatment, including therapy and any necessary medications, can help a person a great deal. The cause of borderline personality disorder is not known. Abnormal brain development and genetics can play a part in its development. This disorder can also be considered a disability.
Central characteristics of borderline personality disorder include experiencing unstable moods. In turn, these influence difficulty in appropriate, realistic behavior and relationships for the individual. The person often has inaccurate or distorted perceptions of both themselves and others.
Signs & Symptoms of BPD
The indications that someone has bipolar disorder vary but the most common ones include:
- Negative or unrealistic self-image
- Fear of abandonment
- A sense of being wronged by others
- Mood swings
- Expressing feelings of anger or acting out aggressively
- Trouble regulating emotions
- Acting impulsively
- Risky behavior, such as unsafe sex or spending money recklessly
- Quickly switching viewpoints about other people
- Blaming other people and circumstances for instability or difficulties in the person’s life
- Difficulty maintaining healthy, stable relationships
- Paranoia
- Self-injury
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
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Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
Four types of borderline personality disorder exist. A skilled medical expert can assess a person to understand which one they have. In fact, some people’s symptoms cause them to qualify as having more than one type. Once an assessment has been performed, borderline personality disorder treatment can be implemented to help them manage their symptoms.
4 Main Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
The four main types of BPD each include certain common behaviors and emotions. The types include:
Impulsive BPD: A person with this type often acts impulsively, even if the actions may seem counterproductive to others. Their behavior can include potentially dangerous acts, such as driving under the influence, having unprotected sex, and excessive shopping. They also tend to lash out in anger. This includes aggressive behavior such as yelling, destroying property, and engaging in physical fighting.
Discouraged BPD: Behavior associated with this type of BPD is often seen as less aggressive than that of someone with Impulsive BPD. The person often has trouble expressing their emotions and may keep them bottled up. They have a negative view that can manifest in blaming themselves more often than others for their circumstances. The person typically has an inflated fear of abandonment. Many individuals self-harm as a way to try to regulate their internal thoughts and emotions.
Self-Destructive BPD: People with this type of BPD often engage in self-destructive behaviors as a way of trying to cope. These behaviors can include self-injury, risky behaviors, and abusing alcohol or drugs. Threaded into these symptoms can be behaviors associated with manic episodes of bipolar disorder. These include excessive energy, feelings of euphoria, and difficulty sleeping.
Petulant BPD: A hallmark of this type of BPD includes a person acting out in anger or withdrawing into sulking behavior. They experience mood swings and often express feeling that no one loves or values them. These individuals attempt to use their petulant behavior to influence or manipulate others. They may act in passive-aggressive ways and abuse alcohol or drugs.
How is Borderline Personality Disorder Treated?
First and foremost, borderline personality disorder needs to be diagnosed by a mental health professional through various assessment methods. These methods encompass thorough interviews, a comprehensive medical examination, and a comprehensive review of the individual’s medical history and family medical background.
It is worth noting that individuals with borderline personality disorder often experience co-occurring mental health conditions, including but not limited to anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
Historically, borderline personality disorder has been regarded as challenging to treat. Nevertheless, recent advances in evidence-based treatment methods and modalities have yielded promising results, with individuals reporting fewer and less severe symptoms. This is in alignment with the approach to treating borderline personality disorder right here in Tucson, Arizona.
Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment Options
In addition to therapy, there exist more intensive levels of care designed to address BPD comprehensively. These treatment options afford patients more time for understanding their mental health disorder and developing long-term coping strategies. Moreover, the group setting enables individuals to learn from their peers who are also undergoing treatment. These treatment levels for borderline personality disorder include:
- Residential Mental Health Treatment
- Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
- Aftercare Mental Health Programs
It is paramount that individuals with BPD establish a trusting relationship with their treatment professionals who specialize in borderline personality disorder treatment. The guidance and support provided by qualified experts play a pivotal role in the success of BPD treatment and the journey toward recovery.
Seeking treatment for this disorder is of utmost importance. The consensus among experts is that therapy, conducted on a weekly basis, which encompasses education about the disorder, family support, and training in social and emotional skills, can effectively address many cases of borderline personality disorder.
Research has illuminated the consequences of untreated BPD, indicating that those who do not receive treatment are at an increased risk of developing chronic medical or mental health conditions. Individuals with borderline personality disorder also face a heightened risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior. For those who have received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, seeking help is not just beneficial but can be life-changing.
Types of Therapy Used to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder treatment can involve the usage of multiple types of therapy. Each person receiving this kind of treatment will be assessed in order to determine which therapy modalities will provide them with the best results. The types of individual therapy may include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Other types of therapy offered include holistic, group, and family therapy. As well, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can provide wonderful results for someone who has experienced trauma.
Begin Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder in Tucson, Arizona
Borderline personality disorder can greatly impact a person’s ability to fully live their lives. Because of this, Montare Behavioral Health of Tucson created a borderline personality disorder treatment program that helps you understand your condition. We teach you to understand how to manage your symptoms and reduce their impact on your day-to-day living. Our goal is to improve your mental health in a way that lasts long after you graduate from our program.
We are happy to answer any questions you have about our treatment program. Please visit our admissions page now and let us know if you have any questions.
