Borderline Personality Disorder Counselling in Guelph & Mississauga
“Find balance, emotional stability, and stronger relationships with BPD therapy.”
Understanding BPD
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be very disrupting to the lives of those affected by it and their families and loved ones. It is characterized by its intense emotional disturbance, mood swings, and instability, distortion in cognition, maladaptive behaviours and communication issues. Noticeably, people struggling with BPD are people experiencing difficulties with managing their emotions. Out of the nine diagnostic criteria, five are required for official diagnosis. Thus, there are over 151 ways in which BPD manifests, and they range from overregulating one’s emotions and displaying very limited range of emotion to underregulating the emotions and struggling to control them. People with BPD also often experience anxiety and depression, feelings of being misunderstood, fear of loneliness and abandonment, and suicidal thoughts.
Approximately 2 percent (2%) of the population experiencing the symptoms of BPD. At times, it can feel like there is no hope. However, proper diagnosis and treatment, such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, can learn to decrease in the intensity of the symptoms to manageable levels so they no longer disrupt life and even begin building life worth living.
By its definition, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is considered a mental illness marked by moody episodes, temporary behavioral shifts and complex interpersonal situations. Most often, BPD commences at a relatively young adult stage in life. Several traits accompany someone suffering from this disease which includes spontaneous decision-making, nervousness about sudden separation, self-evaluation doubts, and internal perturbations that are hard to deal rationally.
Additionally, because dealing with challenges and coping might be difficult in individuals dealing with BPD levels of anxiety heighten during the verge of goal achievement. Despite these issues, the most crucial consideration is that those affected by BPD are not flawed humans. The course of treatment could involve Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which has proven to be revolutionary in managing this kind of mental illness, allowing positive lifestyle adjustments.
Development of BPD
There are a few BPD theories.
- Genetics. BPD is approximately five times more common among people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder compared to those who do not.
- Brain function. Neuroimaging has revealed that the emotional regulation system may be different in people struggling with BPD. The communication between executive functioning decision-making/judgment part and impulse control part of the brain with does not function optimally for people struggling with BPD. Genetic factors such as brain chemistry and the ability of the brain to regulate emotions has been marked as a cause for development of BPD.
- Biosocial Theory. Both environment and biology play a part in its development. Environmental factors, such as a childhood fraught with instability and abuse or emotional trauma play vital role in the development of BPD.
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Treatment For BPD
Psychotherapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was created specifically for the treatment of BPD. It provides clients with skill coaching to help them manage emotions and function optimally.
Other therapies used in the treatment of BPD include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based practices.
Medication
Therapy For Caregivers and Family Members:
Families and caregivers of people struggling with BPD may also benefit from support and treatment. Having a relative or loved one with the disorder can be stressful, and family members or caregivers may unintentionally act in ways that can worsen their loved one’s symptoms. Some BPD treatments include family members, caregivers, or loved ones in treatment sessions.
Comorbidity
Many people struggling with BPD also struggle with co-occurring disorders. Successful BPD treatment also includes the treatment of any co-existing disorders as well. The comorbid disorders include:
- Substance Abuse
- Anxiety Disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders (notably bulimia nervosa)
Prognosis
Often, people diagnosed with BPD exhibit symptoms at younger age that are sometimes dismissed. Later in life these symptoms may become severe and challenging and interfere with regular daily functioning.
With a proper diagnosis and individualized, dedicated treatment, BPD becomes treatable disorder. The rate of symptom remission is high for those following their treatment plans years after the commencement of treatment.
Regain Control Over Your Emotions
Book a session with our BPD specialists in Guelph & Mississauga and take the first step toward emotional well-being.