Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a personality disorder characterized by the perception one has of themselves and others. It centers on the inability to effectively manage one’s emotions. It is rooted in an intense fear of abandonment, real or imagined, and difficulty with being alone. Since someone with BPD has trouble with mood regulation, they often have other characteristics that include intense anger, impulsive or reckless behavior, may self-harm, have chronic feelings of emptiness, and powerful mood swings. Relationships are generally very chaotic which results in a person with BPD pushing someone away, the other person leaving, and intensifying abandonment fears. This disorder is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder since they share several common characteristics. It is also possible for someone with BPD also be diagnosed with Bipolar disorder as well. Treatments proven effective with BPD are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). There is no medication to treat BPD specifically, however, medications may be recommended and effective to treat other symptoms from coexisting disorders like Anxiety or Depression.