Borderline Personality
Disorder

• Biological or genetic factors; people with BPD show heightened activity in the limbic system, an area of the brain that controls fear, anger and aggression
• Relationships with caregivers and significant others in early childhood that were particularly problematic
• Traumatic early life experiences such as abuse, neglect, death of parents
• Stressful social circumstances; financial, work, relationship or family
• Difficulty in learning how to deal with emotions because of their experiences with other people, often during early childhood

Psychotherapy is the best treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) being the most recommended therapy. In the DBT program, the focus is on developing healthy behaviours in an emotional crisis when the person tends to default to unhelpful long-term behaviours such as suicidal behaviours or self-harm.

The therapy works with concepts such as mindfulness or being in the present moment, which helps the individual to be aware of negative emotions and behaviours. It also teaches skills in how to tolerate negative emotions and how to communicate effectively with others, thus dealing with distress more effectively.

Medication can be part of the treatment plan described by the psychiatrist. If depression, anxiety or extreme distorted thinking are prevalent as part of the condition, anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medication may be prescribed.

Please note, HelpingMinds® does not offer DBT therapy. If you have BPD and require DBT therapy, you will require a referral from your GP. If you have someone close to you who is living with BPD, we can offer you support.