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Tyler didn’t recognize his BPD symptoms at first. He brushed off his episodes of depression and anxiety because he was going through a rough patch in life. His personal relationships were suffering, and he was scared his boss might fire him.
Tyler was also angry all the time, but he figured it was due to stress or sleep deprivation. He was drinking more than usual and speeding through red lights, but again, he blamed his actions on his hectic lifestyle.
Friends and family members started getting frustrated with Tyler’s rude comments and reckless behavior. Sometimes, he was fine, but he was often moody and self-destructive. Nobody ever knew what to expect from Tyler when it came to his emotions, including Tyler himself.
His mom said Tyler ruined Christmas Day with his extreme mood swings and threats of self-harm. Tyler was angry on Christmas Eve because his girlfriend, a nurse, couldn’t spend the day with him due to an emergency at the hospital. He felt rejected and abandoned, and he was convinced his girlfriend no longer loved him.
Tyler’s girlfriend, Katie, noticed he was constantly snapping at her and accusing her of cheating on him, even before the Christmas Eve incident. One day, Tyler was madly in love with Katie, and the next, he acted as though he hated her. She couldn’t figure out how to make him happy because his expectations were all over the place.
Tyler’s moods changed constantly, and nothing Katie did was good enough to make him understand how much she loved him. Katie knew something was wrong, so she recommended that Tyler get tested for bipolar disorder.
Tyler agreed to get evaluated for bipolar disorder and was surprised by the results. Despite his constantly changing moods, he didn’t have bipolar disorder as his girlfriend had suspected. Instead, his evaluation revealed he had signs of borderline personality disorder.
What Is BPD?
Borderline personality disorder, often called BPD, is a mental health condition that affects approximately 1.4% of US adults. People with borderline personality disorder struggle with emotion regulation, which results in mood swings, destructive behavior and self-image issues. Fortunately, symptoms of BPD are often manageable with medication and therapy.
BPD Symptoms
Tyler exhibited multiple BPD signs before he was diagnosed with the condition. The symptoms of borderline personality vary but may include the following:
- Intense and/or unpredictable mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger or irritability
- Chronic boredom
- Emptiness
- Instability, including splitting or devaluation, in personal relationships
- Fear of abandonment or rejection
- Dissociation
- Paranoia
- Impulsive and/or reckless behavior
- Irrational trust issues
Other potential symptoms of BPD include self-harm and suicidal idealization. These are serious symptoms that require medical treatment.
Problems Someone Might Have Identifying and Seeking Help for BPD
Even when you have multiple BPD symptoms, it can be difficult to get a diagnosis for your condition. That’s because borderline personality disorder mimics other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
Approximately three out of four people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder are women. Men like Tyler are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. You can improve your chances of getting an accurate diagnosis by making sure you share all the signs of borderline personality disorder you’re experiencing when you seek treatment.
Risk Factors and Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder
There are several risk factors and potential causes of borderline personality disorder. Let your mental health care provider know if you recognize any of these risk factors:
- A member of your immediate family has borderline personality disorder.
- You’ve experienced serious trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse.
- You were neglected as a child.
- Your parents abandoned you, or you were part of the foster care system.
- You’ve been diagnosed with diminished brain function in the areas that control emotional regulation.
Don’t panic if you recognize these risk factors, though. Experiencing the factors listed above doesn’t guarantee a BPD diagnosis.
Steps You Can Take To Treat BPD
Symptoms of BPD often require a combination of medical treatments. FHE Health can help you choose a treatment plan based on the severity of your BPD symptoms.
When Tyler discovered he had signs of borderline personality disorder, he decided to combine treatments for maximum results. He found that psychiatric medications and therapy with a trusted provider helped him get his symptoms of BPD under control. Here are some steps you can take to treat BPD symptoms:
- Medication: Psychiatric medications can help many patients manage BPD.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This form of therapy helps patients control their emotions and decrease destructive behaviors.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps patients with BPD challenge harmful thoughts and behaviors.
- Hospitalization: Inpatient and outpatient hospital programs can help patients with BPD cope with their condition in a safe, supportive environment.
When treating BPD symptoms, it’s important to also address other conditions that impact your mental health. This may mean taking prescription medication for anxiety or receiving therapy for childhood trauma that affects your adult life. Some family members and friends also find it helpful to seek therapy so they can better understand how to help a loved one with borderline personality disorder.
Why FHE Health Is an Expert on BPD
Seeking treatment for borderline personality disorder can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time receiving mental health care. At FHE Health, we understand the challenges patients and their loved ones face. We offer behavioral health services in a safe environment staffed by informed providers who specialize in mental health care and addiction.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor treatment to the individual needs of each patient. Your primary therapist works with you and your loved ones to ensure the treatment meets your needs from start to finish. After receiving quality care from our friendly team, many patients feel better equipped to manage their behavioral health conditions.
Mental health concerns aren’t always something you can address with self-care or a quick vacation. If your BPD symptoms are making it difficult to enjoy everyday activities or bond with loved ones, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (833) 596-3502 so our skilled team can help you make the most of each day. We’re available 24/7, so you can tackle your behavioral health concerns whenever you’re ready.
