The idea of a disorder like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has many people wondering what the treatment for BPD is. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment that works for everyone with BPD. However, there are many different types of therapy that have been effective in treating this illness. Here are some examples of therapy that may be helpful for you and your loved ones.
Many people choose to participate in psychotherapy or support groups because they are trying to overcome their symptoms. The primary goal of CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy is to teach patients how to change their behaviors and thought processes. The idea is to help patients learn how to cope with their fears and help them quit the dangerous patterns that bring about their disorder. This type of therapy is very effective at treating BPD as it works to change the way the patient thinks and acts. When the patient learns how to change their negative behaviors, they are better equipped to control their emotional responses when faced with triggers.
Therapy works very well when dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder because it deals with the core of the illness. When you have a disorder, it usually involves some type of childhood trauma. Some therapists use the terms disorganized and unstable to describe the feelings experienced by those who suffer from bad. These individuals have experienced chaotic emotions that stem from an overwhelming sense of emotion. When you learn how to manage these feelings, you learn how to deal with difficult situations without focusing on the problem and explode the emotions of those around you.
Emotionally stable people learn how to manage their feelings and thoughts so they do not explode when they are faced with difficult situations. The goal of therapy for those who have a borderline personality disorder is the same as it is for those with any other mental health disorder: to learn how to control and manage emotions. There are many ways that people with BPD can manage their emotions. This disorder is characterized by the presence of at least four emotional dysregulation characteristics.
One is chronic emotional distress, which is the most common symptom of borderline personality disorder. A person with BPD might have a history of abuse or neglect and cannot seem to avoid picking at himself or herself. When a person with BPD undergoes therapy, he/she will be exposed to situations that mirror emotional distress in which the therapist and the client will both have to monitor the reactions of the other in order to help them work through their issues. In some instances exposure therapy might be administered in a group setting in which other mental health professionals such as physicians, psychologists, teachers and therapists would also participate.
The second is problematic behaviors, which generally include self-harm and substance abuse. In addition, there may be impulsivity, or an inability to plan ahead, and an impulse to escape. As with self-harm, clients with BPD might be aware of the danger they pose to themselves and others but find ways to engage in dangerous behavior, even if it escalates to biting, kicking or physically harming another individual. The presence of a reliable and experienced clinical psychologist during the intervention can be especially important here because these individuals are trained to deal with clients in a crisis manner and have training in identifying and responding to symptoms of danger in patients.
Another type of therapy is called dialectical behavior therapy, which is sometimes used in conjunction with standard cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy helps clients cope with their negative emotions, which often leads to regular depressive mood swings. Cognitive behavioral therapists, on the other hand, teach clients how they can think positively instead of negatively and help them to cultivate a positive attitude and awareness rather than a pessimistic outlook on life. These psychotherapists usually use a structured form of intervention that starts with a brief introduction of symptoms and possible treatments, followed by detailed information about the illness and the specific negative behaviors. At this stage of the intervention, the client is encouraged to share his/her experiences with the therapist and express out what is going on in his/her life. The therapist works with the client to help him/her develop healthy coping skills and appropriate reactions to stressful situations.
Then, group therapy is usually added as a component of the treatment plan. During group therapy sessions, the whole team works together to facilitate improvement in the individual’s emotional health and skills, while helping him/her change his/her patterns of reactive anger, self destructive behavior and other negative emotions. Skills training is also part of CBT. Skills training usually takes place in individual therapy sessions and is focused on problem solving, improving communication and improving the ability of the person to deal with his/her emotions. It is not uncommon for people with BPD to attend classes in group therapy sessions in addition to individual therapy sessions.