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About.com Borderline Personality: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
BPD Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder symptoms include instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotion, as well as impulsive behaviors. Learn more about the symptoms of BPD.
Cluster B Personality Disorder
There are four Cluster B personality disorders: antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic.
Introduction to BPD
What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)? What are the symptoms of BPD? How is BPD treated? Learn more about the basics of borderline personality disorder.
BPD Medications
Borderline personality disorder medications have been shown to reduce certain symptoms. Learn more about medications that are commonly used to treat borderline personality disorder.
BPD Romantic Relationships
BPD relationships are often chaotic, intense, and conflict-laden. This can be especially true for romantic BPD relationships. Many people have been hurt in their romantic relationships with borderline personality partners, but others have found a way to make the relationships work.
Impulsivity and BPD
Are you someone who tends to take action without thinking through the consequences? Do hasty decisions often get you into trouble? Do you often act based on your feelings in the moment rather than on a long-term plan? You may be struggling with impulsive behavior, one of the symptoms of BPD.
Self Mutilation
What is self mutilation and why does it occur? Learn more about self mutilation, why it happens, and how self mutilation is treated.
Suppressing Emotions
Suppressing emotions does not work, and it may even end up causing you to feel worse in the long run. Learn more about why suppressing emotions can get you in trouble.
Signs of BPD
Here are some signs that may indicate your friend or loved one has borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Borderline Relationships
Borderline relationships are chaotic; they can feel like a roller coaster of emotion and conflict. Learning to manage these relationships is very difficult, but it is possible for borderline relationships to succeed.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a psychotherapy that is effective in reducing many of the symptoms of BPD. Learn more about what to expect in DBT and how to find a DBT provider.
Dissociation
What is dissociation? Is dissociation a disorder? How is dissociation treated? Learn more about dissociation in borderline personality disorder (BPD).
BPD Causes
Learn more about borderline personality disorder causes. While the exact causes of borderline personality disorder are not yet known, research has determined some of the environmental, biological, and genetic factors that are strongly linked to the development of BPD.
Bipolar and Borderline
Are bipolar and borderline personality disorder (BPD) related? Learn more about the similarities and differences between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Mood Swings
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is associated with mood swings-- intense emotional ups and downs that can happen at the drop of a hat. Here's how to tell whether mood swings may be related to BPD.
BPD Treatment
Want to learn more about borderline personality disorder treatment? This article covers all the available treatments for borderline personality disorder, including medications, psychotherapy, and intensive treatment programs. Learn more about the various treatments for BPD.
Self-Help for BPD
While borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious condition that requires treatment by qualified mental health professionals, there are also sources of self-help for people with BPD. Learn more about these self-help strategies that can be used in conjunction with more formal treatment.
What is Splitting?
What is splitting? Learn more about splitting in borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Who Am I?
Do you ever find yourself asking, who am I? What do I believe in? What is my place in this world? If you do, you are not alone. Many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle with identity issues – it is one of the core symptoms of the disorder.
10 Coping Skills for BPD
Want to change the way you respond to intense emotions? For some ideas, use this list of healthy coping skills to get started.
Coping Skills for BPD
What are coping skills, why are they important, and how can you use healthier ways of coping? Learn new coping skills to help you manage the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Serotonin
What is serotonin? Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that is responsible, in part, for regulating brain functions such as mood, appetite, sleep, and memory.
Living with BPD
Living with borderline personality disorder is not easy. The symptoms of BPD can affect every part of your life, making relationships, work, and health very difficult to maintain. However, despite the suffering that BPD can cause, many people learn ways to cope the symptoms and lead normal, fulfilling lives.
Dopamine
What is dopamine? A definition of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Borderline Friend
If you have a friend with borderline personality disorder, you may feel confused about how you can help them. Learn more about how you can be a good friend to someone with borderline personality while also maintaining your own health.
What is Assertiveness?
What is assertiveness? Learn the definition of assertiveness.
BPD and Lying
Is it true that borderline personality is associated with lying? If a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) lies, is that just a symptom of the disorder? Learn more about the link between BPD and lying.
Borderline Anger
Anger is a key feature of borderline personality disorder. Learn more about borderline anger and how to get help.
BPD Teens
Get the facts about borderline personality adolescents. How is borderline personality in children? What are the symptoms? How can you find help for a borderline personality adolescent?
Definition of Comorbidity
What is comorbidity? Learn the definition of comorbidity.
BPD Family
What effects do symptoms of borderline personality disorder have on the family? Learn more about life in the BPD family.
Why is it Called "Borderline?"
: Why is it Called Borderline Personality Disorder? Where did the term "borderline" come from, and what
Dichotomous Thinking
What is dichotomous thinking? Learn the definition of dichotomous thinking.
Accepting Emotions
Practicing accepting emotions can lead to better emotional health. Learn more about the benefits of accepting emotions.
A BPD Case Example
Read a description of a borderline personality case. A case example of borderline personality disorder.
Psychometric Properties
Learn what psychometric properties are and how they relate to psychological testing.
BPD and Sex
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often experience problems with sex. Dissatisfaction with sex, impulsive sexual behavior, promiscuity, and avoidance of sex are not uncommon in BPD.
BPD Diagnosis
Need to understand the basics of borderline personality disorder diagnosis? Learn more about the diagnosis of BPD, the criteria used to determine a diagnosis, and the assessment process.
Borderline Personalities
Borderline personalities struggle with four main areas of functioning: emotions, relationships, behavior, and thinking. Many experts have speculated that there are different types of borderline personalities, and these types may present very differently.
Mindfulness Meditation for BPD
Mindfulness meditation can help people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) reduce emotion dysregulation. Learn more about how to practice mindfulness meditation to reduce the symptoms of BPD.
Emotional Instability in BPD
People with borderline personality disorder experience more than just your everyday emotional ups and downs. Learn more about emotional instability in borderline personality disorder.
What Is Empathy?
What is empathy? Learn the definition of empathy.
Mood Lability
Mood lability refers to frequent or intense mood changes or shifts
Reduce Emotional Instability
If you experience a lot of emotional ups and downs, you may be able to make some simple changes to your lifestyle that will help you get off the roller coaster. Learn skills to reduce your emotional instability and improve your psychological health.
Alcoholism and BPD
Learn more about the prevalence of alcoholism in borderline personality disorder (BPD), the reasons that alcoholism and BPD occur together so often, and how to get help for yourself or a loved one with alcoholism and BPD.
BPD Marriage
Many different kinds of close relationships are affected by borderline personality disorder (BPD), but perhaps none more than the borderline personality marriage. Marriages in which either one or both partner has BPD can be very tumultuous and conflict-laden. But these marriages can also be successful with work.
Eating Disorders and BPD
Eating disorders and borderline personality disorder frequently occur together. Learn more about the relationship between eating disorders and borderline personality.
Suicide and BPD
Suicidality is an unfortunately common occurrence in borderline personality disorder. Learn more about the link between suicide and BPD, and what you can do to keep yourself or your loved one safe.
Emotion Regulation Skills
Emotion regulation skills training can help you to reduce emotional ups and downs and improve your overall psychological health. Learn more about how emotion regulation skills training can help you, and get tips of skills training exercises to try.
Genetic Causes of BPD
Is borderline personality disorder (BPD) caused by genetics or environment? Learn more about the most recent research on genetics and BPD.
What is Aggression?
What is aggression? Learn the definition of aggression.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive displays of emotion, attention seeking, and need for approval. People with histrionic personality disorder frequently have other co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including borderline personality disorder.
How to Find a Therapist
Learn how to find a therapist, including factors you should consider in your search, where to look to find a therapist in your area, and how to interview therapists.
Abandonment and BPD
People with BPD often have an intense fear of abandonment. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms often create a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing people with BPD to actually be abandoned by others.
Sympathetic Nervous System
What is the sympathetic nervous system, and how does it interact with the parasympathetic nervous system to produce the arousal response? Learn the definition and function of the sympathetic nervous system.
Child Abuse and BPD
Does child abuse cause borderline personality disorder? Research has shown a link between child maltreatment and BPD, but the causes of BPD are not fully understood.
Narcissistic Personality
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an inflated sense of self importance and other symptoms related to identity and relationships with others. People with narcissistic personalities frequently have other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder.
BPD Symptoms in Teens
What are borderline personality symptoms in teens? Are borderline personality symptoms different in teens and adults?
Emotion Regulation
What is emotion regulation? A definition of emotion regulation.
Divorce My BPD Spouse?
Should you divorce your BPD spouse? There is no easy answer, but here are some things to consider.
BPD Triggers
Most people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have particular triggers (i.e., events or situations that exacerbate their symptoms or lead to psychiatric crises). Learn more about BPD triggers and how they can be managed.
BPD and Depression
Many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) also experience problems with depression — in fact, it is very uncommon that someone with BPD does not also meet criteria for a mood disorder. But what is unique about depression in BPD, and how might having both conditions affect your treatment options?
Splitting the Family
What is splitting and what should you do when a loved one or friend with borderline personality disorder is splitting? Learn more about splitting and how to manage this behavior
BPD Myths
There are a number of very widely circulated myths about borderline personality disorder. Read more about borderline personality myths — what is true and what is myth?
BPD and Axis II
: Why is BPD Called an "Axis II" Disorder? Why have I heard BPD called an "Axis II" disorder? What does
Grounding Exercises
Grounding exercises are helpful for dealing with dissociation, panic, impulsive urges, and intense emotional distress. Learn more about grounding exercises and how they can help you.
Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between a mental health therapist (e.g., a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health counselor, social worker) and a client. There is evidence that a strong therapeutic alliance predicts better outcomes in therapy. A strong therapeutic alliance is evident when the client feels comfortable with the therapist, has a sense of common goals or purpose with the therapist, and feels a sense of safety and trust in the therapy process
Validating Emotions
It is not always easy to validate the emotions of a spouse, partner, family member, or friend without feeling that you are resigning yourself to agree with their opinion. Here is how to validate emotions without necessarily agreeing with how your loved one sees things.
Bereavement
What is bereavement? Learn how bereavement can affect you psychological functioning, and complications during bereavement may be associated with psychiatric disorders such as borderline personality disorder.
Distress Tolerance Skills
Distress tolerance skills training is a core feature of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The distress tolerance skills are meant to reduce impulsive behavior, which can often result from an inability to tolerate strong emotions.
Self Care for BPD
Good self-care is critical to physical and mental health. Learn more about developing good self care, including diet, sleep, medication, and exercise habits.
Personality Disorders
There are ten personality disorders listed in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). The personality disorders are psychological conditions that begin in adolescence or early adulthood, continue over many years, and interfere with a person's ability to enjoy life or achieve fulfillment in relationships, work or school.
Refusing Treatment
It is not uncommon for someone with clear mental health problems to refuse treatment. When your loved one is refusing treatment that could save their life, you may feel desperate and helpless. What can you do if a loved one is refusing treatment?
Is There a Borderline Test?
Looking for a borderline personality test? Is there a test for borderline personality disorder (BPD)? Learn more about the diagnosis of BPD and borderline personality tests.
Paranoid Ideation
A definition of paranoid ideation or paranoia.
Communication Skills
We communicate constantly, and tend to assume that what we are communicating is what we mean to communicate. However, often this is not the case. Learn some skills to avoid the misunderstandings, and learn how to hear what is being said and heard.
Borderline and Avoidant Personality
Avoidant personality disorder (APD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive shyness, social inhibition, sensitivity to criticism, and avoidance of social situations. People with avoidant personality disorder frequently have other co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including borderline personality disorder.
Feeling Statements
Feeling statements, otherwise known as "I Statements", are powerful communication tools. Know what they are and how to use them effectively.
BP and Paranoia
Many people with borderline personality experience paranoid ideation (i.e., beliefs that others aim to harm them, despite evidence to the contrary) under conditions of stress. Paranoia in BP is different than in psychotic disorders, however.
Mood Stabilizers for BPD
It has become increasingly common for psychiatrists to prescribe mood stabilizers for borderline personality disorder, and there is some evidence that these medications can be effective in reducing some of the emotion dysregulation and impulsivity symptoms of the disorder in particular.
DSM
A definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM.
Emotional Invalidation
Chronic emotional invalidation, particularly in childhood, has been cited as one potential cause of borderline personality disorder (BPD). What is emotional invalidation, and how can an emotionally invalidating environment affect the developing child?
Psychiatric Disorder
What is a psychiatric disorder? A psychiatric disorder is any pattern of psychological or behavioral symptoms that causes an individual significant distress, impairs their ability to function in life, and/or significantly increases their risk of death, pain, disability, or loss of freedom.
Create More Structure
Mental health experts have long known that one of the keys to good psychological health is having more structure in your daily life. But what exactly is structure, and how can you create more of it? Here are some simple steps to create more structure.
BPD and Jobs
I have borderline personality disorder; should this affect my job choices? BPD can impact your identity and relationships, but how does this impact job or career choices?
Meta-Analysis
What is a meta-analysis? Learn the definition of a meta-analysis, including examples of meta-analytic research studies.
Self-Esteem and BPD
Self-esteem refers to how you feel about yourself. Those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often struggle with poor self-esteem. What does this elusive term mean? Why is self-esteem important? How can you improve your self-esteem?
Invalidating Environment
What is an emotionally invalidating environment? Learn the definition of emotionally invalidating environment in borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Abandonment Sensitivity
A definition of abandonment sensitivity.
Finding Meaning
This is one exercise that is designed to help you identify what is meaningful to you. Of course, finding meaning is not an easy process, and no one exercise will get you there; finding meaning takes work and is best accomplished with the help of a good therapist. In fact, this may be an exercise that you want to work on with your therapist.
Safety Plan for BPD
A safety plan is critical if you are have experienced a mental health emergency in the past (e.g., a suicide attempt), or are at risk of one in the future. Learn how to develop a comprehensive safety plan to reduce your risk.
Is There a Cure for BPD?
Is there a cure for borderline personality disorder (BPD)? Does BPD respond to treatment? Find out about the latest research on treatment and BPD.
BP and Thinking
Many people with borderline personality experience symptoms related to the process and content of their thinking, or cognition. These symptoms can include paranoid ideation, dissociation, and dichotomous thinking.
Disinhibition
This glossary entry defines disinhibition.
Predicting BPD Prognosis
Is there any way to predict borderline personality disorder prognosis? Who will recover from borderline personality disorder, and who will continue to have symptoms? Learn more about predictors of borderline personality disorder prognosis.
Stigma
What is stigma? How does stigma impact people with mental health issues? Learn the definition of stigma and how it applies to mental health.
Reuptake
What is reuptake, and how is it related to the communication of signals in the brain and treatment of mental disorders such as borderline personality disorder? Learn more about the process of reuptake and how medications may affect reuptake to produce a reduction in symptoms.
BPD and Shame
There is a strong relationships between BPD and shame -- so much so that some experts consider BPD to be a disorder of chronic shame. Individuals with BPD often experience themselves as unacceptable, worthless, or even evil. This intense self-contempt may play a role in the high rates of self-harm and suicidal behaviors in people with BPD.
BPD and Violence
Is there a link between borderline personality and violence? Learn more about whether borderline personality disorder is associated with violence, and how to get help.
SET Communication Tool
Support, empathy, truth (SET) is a communication tool specifically designed for those with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Diagnosing Borderline Teens
Learn more about diagnosing borderline adolescents, including the DSM-IV criteria for borderline personality disorder in adolescents and common misdiagnoses.
Types of Therapists
Find a therapist with the right credentials and expertise. Learn about the different types of therapists and other mental health providers, and the training and expertise of each type of therapist.
Can BPs Have Normal Life
Is it possible to live a normal life with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Emotional Acceptance Exercise
Practicing emotional acceptance can lead to greater emotional health and less emotional ups and downs. Learn more about how to practice emotional acceptance.
Delusions
What are delusions? Learn the definition of delusions.
BPD Assessment
What should you expect from the borderline personality disorder assessment process? Learn about each step of the process, from finding a provider to getting a diagnosis.
Mechanism of Action
What is a mechanism of action, and how is mechanism of action related to the treatment of medical and mental health conditions? Learn the definition of mechanism of action.
Identify Emotions
The ability to identify emotions (to know what you are feeling, and why you are having that feeling) is a key aspect of good emotion regulation. Learn why some people struggle to identify emotions and how to practice identifying emotions.
Transference Focused Therapy
Transference focused therapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is another form of psychotherapy that has recently been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of BPD. Learn more about this treatment approach.
Internalizing
Behavioral and psychological problems are often described in terms of their degrees of internalizing versus externalizing presentation. Learn more about internalizing here.
Personality Disorder
What is a personality disorder? How is a personality disorder diagnosed? Learn more about the criteria for personality disorders.
Mindful Walking
Mindful walking is one way to promote mindfulness skills without having to make time for formal practice. Try this simple exercise to promote mindful walking.
BPD and Age
Studies show that BPD symptoms tend to diminish with age. Unfortunately we don’t know exactly why borderline personality disorder symptoms tend to reduce over time. However, experts have speculated that there could be a few reasons why people with borderline personality disorder tend to get better with age.
BPD and Misdiagnosis
Why is BPD so often misdiagnosed? There are a number of reasons that a diagnosis of BPD is often missed, even by experts in the field.
BPD Statistics
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most common personality disorders. How common is it? Who gets it? What are the risk factors?
Coping Skills Toolbox
If you are struggling with intense emotions, impulsive behavior, self harm, or suicidality, you need to find ways to cope when your emotions start to take over. Building a coping skills toolbox is a great way to keep yourself from doing something destructive in the heat of the moment.
Coping with Shame
Coping with shame can be very difficult; intense, chronic, and pervasive shame can destroy relationships, lead to high risk behaviors such as deliberate self-harm, and may make life seem painful and overwhelming. But, there is evidence that this practice can help you cope with shameful feelings.
Invalidation and BPD
When discussing the causes of borderline personality disorder (BPD) the term “invalidating environment” is often mentioned. It is important to know what this terms means.
BPD and Cheating
We know that people with borderline personality have very serious problems in relationships. But, is someone with borderline personality more likely to cheat?
BPD Support
Borderline personality disorder support can be hard to find. Learn more about how to find BPD support.
PD-NOS
Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, or PD-NOS, is a diagnosis that people receive when they have some kind of personality disorder but the symptoms do not fit neatly into the existing categorical types of personality disorders.
Dissociative Identity
Dissociative identity disorder is a rare and controversial psychiatric disorder. Learn the facts about dissociative identity disorder.
Will My Children Get BPD?
If you have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, you may wonder what impact the condition will have on your children. Are they at risk to develop BPD too? Learn more about the impact of BPD on your children and steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that they will also have BPD.
What is Shame?
What is shame? Learn the definition of shame and how this emotion is different than guilt.
CBT versus DBT?
Confused about the difference between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder?
Peripheral Nervous System
What is the peripheral nervous system? Learn about the structure and function of the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system.
Antisocial Personality
What is antisocial personality disorder? Learn more about the definition of antisocial personality disorder.
Self-report
What is a self-report test, and how can this type of test reveal something about psychological symptoms? Learn about the properties of a self-report test.
Temperament
What is temperament? Temperament is defined as the features of your personality that are present at birth and have a genetic/biological basis. Your temperament, or basic disposition, interacts with environmental influences to create your personality.
Mania
A definition of mania.
BPD and Career
BPD often impacts every area of a person's life, including their career. BPD and career success are possible, but here are some things to consider if you have BPD and career questions.
Hypomania
A definition of hypomania or a hypomanic episode
Mindful Breathing
A simple mindfulness exercise: mindful breathing
Emotional Validation
What is emotional validation? Learn the definition of emotional validation and the role of emotional validation in borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Suicide Risk
Is there a way to predict who is at greatest risk for attempting or committing suicide? This article covers two different kinds of suicide risk factors: distal and proximal risk factors.
Schema Focused Therapy
Schema focused therapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of BPD. Learn more about this treatment approach and the latest research support.
Antipsychotics for BPD
Although we now know that BPD does not share features with psychosis, research has shown that antipsychotic medication for borderline personality disorder can be effective.
Multi-axial Diagnosis
The current diagnostic system for psychiatric disorders, the DSM-IV-TR, uses a multi-axial system of diagnosis. But what is multi-axial diagnosis, and how can you interpret the multi-axial system? Learn more about multi-axial diagnosis in the DSM-IV-TR.
What Should I Do in a Crisis?
What should you do if you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else? This article will tell you exactly how to handle a BPD crisis.
Prognosis for BPD Teenagers
What is the prognosis for borderline personality in teenagers? Are teenagers with borderline personality likely to get better? Learn more about the recovery rates for borderline personality in teenagers.
Manage Anger
Learn how to manage anger in healthier, more constructive ways. If you experience intense anger and tend to do things that are unhealthy or destructive when you are angry, this article will help you start to improve your anger management strategies.
Reinforcement
What is reinforcement? Reinforcement is a term that comes from behavioral psychologists; these are psychologists who focus on the factors that cause and maintain behaviors (or actions). Reinforcement is when a behavior is increased or maintained by its consequences. Reinforcement may be either positive or negative.
What is Child Abuse
What is child abuse? Learn more about the legal and accepted definitions of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment can result in serious injury and log-lasting mental health problems such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Legal Issues and BPD
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a mental illness that can cause you to have very serious legal issues. Learn more about legal issues and BPD, and how the law can impact people with BPD and their families.
Catharsis
What is catharsis? Catharsis comes from the Greek word for “cleansing.” In psychotherapy, the term refers to an emotional release that is experienced after feeling and expressing one's emotions about an event. This term was first popularized by Freudian therapists (or psychoanalysts), but is now used widely in the field.
Antidepressants for BPD
While psychotherapy is considered the central aspect of treatment for personality disorder (BPD), many people are prescribed antidepressants for BPD. No medication is FDA approved to treat BPD, but many antidepressants have proven to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of BPD.
Build Self Esteem
Here are five simple ways to build self esteem every day. Practice these skills repeatedly over time and you will build self esteem and have a better quality of life.
Psychiatric Hospitals and BPD
Find out what to expect if you are treated at a psychiatric hospital for borderline personality disorder.
Conduct Disorder
What is conduct disorder? What are the symptoms of conduct disorder? A definition of conduct disorder.
BPD - Work Example
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can impact relationships, and thus success, at work. There are many possible scenarios, this is an example of one
Couples Counseling for BPD
If your partner or spouse has borderline personality disorder, will couples counseling for borderline personality help? Learn more about the effectiveness of couples counseling in borderline personality couples.
Will I Have BPD Forever?
I have been diagnosed with BPD. Does this mean I will have it for the rest of my life? What is the prognosis for borderline personality?
BPD and Physical Health
Unfortunately, BPD is associated with some serious physical health conditions, including chronic pain disorders, arthritis, obesity, and diabetes. BPD is also associated with less healthy lifestyle choices. Learn more about the relationship between BPD and physical health, and what you can do to improve your health now.
What Is a Flashback?
What is a flashback? Learn how to identify whether you (or a loved one) experience flashbacks.
MSI-BPD
The McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder is designed to screen for borderline personality.
Venting
The idea that venting or letting off steam can help you manage your anger is not a new one -- for many decades mental health professionals thought that this type of venting was essential to anger management. But new research is suggesting that venting may not actually work, and in fact could cause more harm than good.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Some individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are prescribed anti-anxiety medications (also called “anxiolytics”) to treat the intense anxiety and agitation that can come along with the disorder.
Avoiding Triggers
You've figured out what triggers your symptoms, but is avoiding triggers a good idea? Here are some things to consider about avoiding triggers.
Finding DBT Therapists
DBT therapists are extensively trained in the delivery of dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder. If you are looking for DBT therapists, there are several resources that will help you to identify trained therapists in your area, including a clinical resource directory for DBT therapists in the United States.
Unstable Relationships
Intense/unstable relationships are a common issue in borderline personality disorder (BPD), and can be a problem at school or work. Learn what this means and what this looks like.
How Common is BPD?
How common is the diagnosis of BPD? It is more common than you might imagine.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What is generalized anxiety disorder? Learn the definition and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Mentalization Based Therapy
Mentalization based therapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be effective in reducing symptoms and improving functioning in patients with BPD. Learn more about this treatment approach and the latest research supporting this approach.
Identify Triggers
Learn how to identify triggers that lead to intense emotions and psychological symptoms. What are your triggers, and how can you plan for them?
Complex PTSD
Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes referred to as disorder of extreme stress not otherwise specified (DESNOS), is thought to result from chronic interpersonal trauma in childhood.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
What is the parasympathetic nervous system, and how does it interact with the sympathetic nervous system to mitigate the arousal response? Learn the definition and function of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Synapse
What is a synapse, and how is a synapse involved in communication of messages in the brain? Learn about how a synapse is part of the transmission of signals in the brain, and how it relates to the treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Did I just develop BPD?
Recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD)? How did you develop it? Is it new, or something that I have had all along? Why am I just being diagnosed now?
Borderline and Dependent PD
Dependent personality disorder frequently co-occurs with borderline personality disorder. How are these two disorders similar, and why do they overlap so frequently? One answer may be in their shared symptoms related to relationship functioning.
Idealization
A definition of idealization.
Psychoeducation
A definition of psychoeducation in borderline personality disorder.
Self-Conscious Emotions
: What are self-conscious emotions? While some emotions are considered "basic emotions" (i.e., they require
Retrospective Research
Retrospective research is a frequently used research method with some particular drawbacks related to recall bias.
How SSRIs Work
SSRIs are commonly prescribed to those with Borderline Personality Disorder. Why they are prescribed and how they work.
BPD Family Resources
Looking for borderline personality family resources? Find resources for the BPD family here, including books, websites, courses, and treatment options.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, is a treatment designed to reduce psychological symptoms associated with traumatic events. Learn more about EMDR therapy, and whether this is an effective therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder and other trauma-linked disorders.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of several models of treatment. Many clinicians say they practice CBT, but what does that mean? Who can benefit from this therapy?
BPD Communication Problems
Why am I always in trouble? Why doesn't he understand how I feel? BPD can significantly impact communication in a relationship. Understanding the dynamic is an important step to addressing the problem.
Coping with Triggers
When you are triggered by an event, situation, or thought, how will you cope? Try these suggestions for coping with triggers in healthy ways.
Managing Money & BPD
Money management is hard for many people, and those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often face additional financial challenges. Learning how to budget can help.
Sitting Meditation
Sitting meditation can be a powerful way to improve your emotional health. Learn more about how to practice sitting meditation.
Quit Therapy
It is not uncommon for people who are getting treatment for a psychiatric disorder to feel like they want to quit therapy. Before you make a decision about dropping out of therapy, however, here are some things to consider.
CBT for BPD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets the “cognitive” (thinking-related) and “behavioral” (action-related) aspects of a psychological condition. The goal of CBT is to help you to reduce your symptoms by changing the way you think about or interpret situations, as well as the actions that you take in your daily life.
BEST Test for BPD
The Borderline Evaluation of Severity Over Time (BEST) is a self-rating test for borderline personality disorder (BPD). This test evaluates the severity of and change in BPD symptoms over time. The BEST is a reliable and valid measure of borderline personality symptoms.
Externalizing
Behavioral and psychological problems are often described in terms of their degrees of internalizing versus externalizing presentation. Learn more about externalizing here.
Books About BPD
Interested in learning more about BPD? Here are some books about borderline personality disorder (BPD) to get you started.
Therapy Success
Wondering how you can get the most out of therapy? Psychotherapy can be very effective, but not everyone has success in treatment. Sometimes this is because the therapy just isn’t the right fit, but sometimes the success of therapy is related to factors in your control.
Self-Harm
A definition of self-harm in BPD.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Is electroconvulsive therapy as a treatment option for people with depression and borderline personality disorder? Learn more about the indications for electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT.
Mindful Driving
Mindfulness exercises can help to reduce problems related to automatic or impulsive behaviors. Try this mindfulness exercise: mindful driving.
Bipolar Disorder
A definition of bipolar disorder.
Cognitive/Perceptual Symptoms
Cognitive/perceptual symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), what are they? How are they treated?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
What is oppositional defiant disorder? What are the symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder?
Devaluation
A definition of devaluation.
Boundaries
What are boundaries? Learn about the definition of boundaries and how they can be problematic in borderline personality disorder.
Pros and Cons Tool
The pros and cons tool can help you evaluate any decision- whether or not to buy a house, drop out of school, or change jobs. This tool can help you look at a decision from all angles and choose the most effective course.
Empirically Supported Treatments
The empirically supported treatments movement has been integral in shaping health care practices around the world. Both medicine and behavioral health have been affected by the move toward empirically supported treatments.
Limbic System
What is the limbic system? The limbic system is an area of the brain that serves important roles in the creation and experience of emotion and memory (in addition to other functions). The limbic system is made of several brain structures, including the hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A definition of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Mentalization
What is mentalization? Definition and meaning of mentalization.
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