Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness that causes extreme disruptions in life. Not officially recognized as a separate disorder until 1980, research on BPD is more than two decades behind other major psychiatric disorders. Lack of information about BPD contributes to misinformation, misunderstanding, and overt stigma around it. According to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD impacts nearly six percent or 14 million Americans, more than bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined. Borderline personality disorder treatment in Florida provides the therapeutic support needed to overcome BPD. Call 855.494.0357 to learn more.
What Is BPD?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by intense, unstable emotions and relationships and deep insecurity and self-doubt. Living with BPD means living with severe emotional pain daily. Living with someone who has BPD means never knowing what to expect. Individuals with BPD strive for normalcy, but their inability to maintain a healthy, stable self-image leaves them constantly struggling to find a safe emotional space. In the grips of BPD, life is a series of crises that appear to have no solutions.
Only a medical or clinical professional can diagnose BPD. Exhibiting five or more of the following symptoms for an extended period, often starting in early adulthood, can indicate borderline personality disorder:
- Intense fear of abandonment or taking drastic measures not to be alone
- A pattern of unstable and intense relationships
- Impulsive, risk-taking, or self-destructive behaviors
- Rapidly changing sense of identity or unstable self-image
- Extreme emotional instability and tendency to significantly overreact
- Recurring threats of self-harm or suicide
- Inappropriate, intense anger and inability to control temper
BPD used to be thought of as on the borderline between neurosis and psychosis, which is not an accurate description. Current thinking and treatment focus on the ongoing difficulty of self-regulation, emotional regulation, distorted thinking about self and others, and impulsivity.
What to Expect in a BPD Treatment Program
If you suspect that you or a loved one has BPD, it is critical to seek professional help as soon as possible. BPD treatment includes psychotherapy, behavior therapies, and medication. Other components of comprehensive treatment include:
- Education about borderline personality disorder
- Family therapy, resources, and support
- Social and emotional skills training
- Co-occurring rehabilitation services
- Coping skills and life skills
- Problem-solving skills
Many who suffer from BPD struggle to cope with daily life’s responsibilities, routines, and stressors. For this and other reasons, residential treatment for borderline personality disorder is usually best. On our 80-acre campus in Florida, Harmony Hills offers a safe, relaxing, home-like environment where patients receive individualized treatment with 24/7 access to services. Some of the other significant benefits of a residential BPD treatment program are:
- Supportive structure and routines
- Support in daily living activities
- Building a sense of community and belonging
- Complete focus on recovery
- Built-in stability and peer support
- Access to high-quality nutrition and physical fitness
New theories and a deeper understanding of the complexities of BPD are continually evolving. With further research on the causes of BPD comes new approaches for effective treatment, symptom management, and improving the lives of those affected by BPD.
Connect with Harmony Hills Today for BPD Treatment
Because BPD symptoms are unique, treatment requires a specialized individual approach. A BPD diagnosis can feel scary, but with it comes answers and solutions to the problems that have caused so much disruption in your life. With proper treatment, BPD symptoms decrease over time. Learning to recognize triggers helps in managing symptoms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are evidence-based therapies proven to be an effective part of comprehensive treatment for BPD. At Harmony Hills, our fully licensed, experienced clinical staff are experts in applying these therapies.
We understand that individuals with BPD frequently have co-occurring disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Eating Disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance use disorder
Clients receive simultaneous care for dual diagnosis through co-occurring disorder treatment, ensuring the best outcomes for lasting recovery. You do not have to suffer from the impacts of BPD. Call 855.494.0357 to discover your treatment options for BPD.
