Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in Chattanooga, TN

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and How Is It Treated?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder linked to early traumatic experiences. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCIB), “surveys have estimated the prevalence of borderline personality disorder to be 1.6% in the general population and 20% of the psychiatric inpatient population.” BPD is characterized by extreme mood swings, rapid changes of interests and values, and substantial uncertainty about a person’s place in the world. Individuals with BPD often engage in risky and dangerous behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity, and self-injurious behaviors, like cutting and suicide attempts.

Iris Wellness Group helps those who are struggling with a dual diagnosis of substance addiction or impulse control disorders and BPD. If you or a loved one needs intensive residential treatment, outpatient therapy, or partial hospitalization, we have a program that can suit your needs.

Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder

Signs indicative of borderline personality disorder encompass:

• “Black-and-white,” “all-or-nothing” thinking styles where everything is either “all good” or “all bad,” with little in between.
• Sudden and intense shifts of perceptions and moods.
• Intense fear of real or imagined abandonment in personal relationships.
• Unpredictable and intense relationships.
• Disturbance of identity due to an unstable self-image.
• Dangerous, impulsive, and risky behaviors, like: Binge-eating Substance and alcohol abuse.
• Unsafe sexual practices, Reckless driving, Cutting or other Self-Injurious Behaviors (SIBs), Spending sprees.
• Suicidal ideation and threats of suicide.
• A fluctuating self-image or self-worth.
• Chronic feelings of emptiness.
• Inappropriate, intense, or uncontrollable anger.
• Difficulty building trust and maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Unstable relationships due to extremes of perception between: Devaluation- reduction of another’s value and Idealization- exaggeration of another’s positive attributes.

It’s essential to note that not everyone diagnosed with BPD will manifest all these signs, but many might exhibit several over their lifetime. Generally, these signs become noticeable in one’s teens or early adult years, though they can manifest in later childhood as well.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Associated Mental Conditions BPD’s complexity in diagnosis arises partly because it frequently coexists with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or addiction. During a psychiatric evaluation, it’s crucial to communicate all the symptoms and concerns you experience.

What are the risk factors for borderline personality disorder?

Research indicates that a combination of genetic, environmental, and societal influences can heighten the risk of developing borderline personality disorder. Some of these contributory factors are:

• Genetic predisposition: Individuals with a close family member, like a parent or sibling, diagnosed with the disorder may have a heightened risk, likely due to shared genetic components.
• Brain anomalies: Studies have found that individuals with borderline personality disorder might exhibit alterations in brain structure and functionality, particularly in regions governing impulse control and emotional regulation. However, it’s ambiguous whether these anomalies are a result of the disorder or if they contribute to its onset.
• External and societal influences: A significant number of those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder recount traumatic events from their past, such as neglect, mistreatment, or adversity during their formative years. Some might have navigated volatile relationships or faced significant interpersonal conflicts.

What is the difference between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are both characterized by notable shifts in mood and behavior, but they’re inherently different conditions.

In BPD, mood and behavioral shifts tend to occur rapidly, especially during stressful situations or interpersonal interactions. In contrast, bipolar disorder presents more prolonged mood phases that are less influenced by immediate external factors. Moreover, individuals with bipolar disorder often experience marked variations in energy and activity levels, a feature not typically seen in those with BPD.