Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental health disorder that affects over four million Americans. Individuals struggling with BPD have difficulty managing their emotions and behaviors, and those with BPD and relationships do not often mix well. It’s difficult to measure how BPD impacts relationships, but the condition does lead to significant impairment in daily functioning—maintaining healthy relationships becomes complicated. Many people may be worried about borderline personality disorder and relationships in their lives. Borderline personality disorder treatment at Harmony Hills can help. Call 855.494.0357 to learn how.
How to Recognize Borderline Personality Disorder
Personality disorders such as BPD are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed due to their complex nature.
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are categorized into Cluster A, Cluster B, and Cluster C:
- Cluster A (Odd, Eccentric) includes conditions like schizoid personality disorder.
- Cluster C (Anxious, Fearful) includes conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Cluster B (Dramatic, Unpredictable) includes borderline personality disorder.
People diagnosed with BPD exhibit erratic emotions and behaviors, which makes borderline personality disorder and relationships difficult to manage together. If you or someone you love has BPD, life usually feels chaotic.
Signs of BPD
Living with BPD is often described as being on an emotional rollercoaster. Many with BPD are described as being overly sensitive. Minor incidents can cause explosive reactions. Once triggered, it takes a long time for the individual to calm down. Those with BPD say hurtful things and engage in risky and inappropriate behaviors. Feelings of guilt and shame often follow outbursts, but these feelings do not prevent future episodes. It is a painful and confusing cycle for everyone involved.
In general, anyone exhibiting five or more of the following symptoms for an extended period, beginning in late adolescence, should seek professional help to see if a diagnosis of BPD is warranted:
- Intense fear of abandonment
- A pattern of unstable and intense relationships
- Impulsive, risk-taking, or self-destructive behaviors
- Rapidly changing, unstable sense of identity
- Extreme emotional instability
- Recurring threats of suicide or self-harm
- Intense anger or inability to control anger
BPD is rarely diagnosed on its own. BPD patients usually have at least one co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. At Harmony Hills, we know that not everyone with BPD will exhibit the same symptoms or require the same treatment. We provide BPD treatment tailored to your needs, including co-occurring treatment where indicated.
How BPD Impacts Relationships
Individuals with BPD tend to have significant difficulties with relationships, especially with those closest to them, including parents, siblings, and romantic partners. Loved ones are often left feeling confused, helpless, and abused because of the erratic behavior exhibited by a person with BPD. While those with BPD have an intense and chronic fear of abandonment, they often cannot recognize how their mood swings, angry outbursts, and impulsive and irrational behaviors negatively impact their relationships and push people away.
The intense fear of abandonment and rejection felt by those with BPD is often the cause of their erratic mood swings and their inability to trust others. They can be caring and doting one minute and suddenly switch to feeling smothered and overwhelmed, causing them to pull away. They often respond to perceived rejection with anger to help protect their fragile sense of self. The effects of BPD are far-reaching and result in:
- Employment instability
- Legal problems
- Marital conflict and divorce
- Self-harm or self-injurious behaviors
- Involvement in abusive relationships
- Social problems and isolation
- Self-sabotage
Though it is not part of the diagnostic criteria, many friends and family members of those with BPD report that lying and deception are significant concerns. Individuals with BPD tend to perceive things differently than others, causing them to have a worldview that seems out of touch with reality, which may contribute to this.
Untreated BPD – Relationship Difficulties
Left untreated, BPD can take an enormous toll on a person’s personal and professional relationships. The unpredictability, anger outbursts, and emotional instability make it challenging to maintain stable and healthy connections with others. Individuals with BPD may not even recognize that their behavior is causing harm to those they love until it is too late.
In romantic relationships, untreated BPD can lead to codependency and an unhealthy reliance on their partner for emotional stability. This reliance often puts a strain on the relationship and places unrealistic expectations on the partner to be the sole source of happiness and validation for the individual with BPD.
In friendships or family relationships, untreated BPD can cause significant conflicts and hurtful behaviors that can damage these connections. The intense and unstable emotions of someone with BPD can be overwhelming for others to handle, leading to distance and strain on the relationship.
Seeking Treatment for BPD – Improving Relationships
Individuals with BPD can benefit greatly from seeking treatment for their condition. With proper therapy and medication, individuals with BPD can:
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms
- Acquire skills to manage emotions
- Develop skills to manage behaviors in relationships
BPD is a treatable disorder, and with the proper support, individuals can improve their relationships and overall quality of life.
Find Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment at Harmony Hills in Florida
At Harmony Hills, our borderline personality disorder treatment program is flexible to accommodate the unique needs of our clients. If you or your loved one has BPD, call 855.494.0357 or contact our team online today to learn how to overcome the symptoms of BPD, regain control of your life, and develop the skills to have healthy relationships.
