What Is BPD Therapy?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the more common mental health disorders and it can wreak havoc on family life. It is characterized by violent outbursts, chronic feelings of guilt and anger, intense emotional responses to stressful situations, physical injury, chronic instability and a troubled childhood as well. This can all make a person very unhappy in many different ways and can actually interfere with their capacity to live a normal, functional life. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment is vital in assisting those who suffer from this condition to stabilize emotionally and regain control over their lives.

The term BPD is used to describe a range of personality disorders that include unstable and severely depressed moods, persistent negative emotions, chronic anxiety, chaotic and at times harmful, aggressive behaviors, feelings of intense guilt and worthlessness and difficulties managing emotions. The primary objective of psychiatric treatment for this condition is to assist the individual in managing these behaviors, emotions and feelings. Borderline Personality Disorder can be treated with a variety of different types of psychiatric medications including anti-depressant medications and mood stabilizers. In most cases, individuals suffering from BPD will need to undergo a significant amount of psychiatric counseling and therapy in addition to taking medications in order to adequately treat their condition.

Many people with BPD do not respond to standard forms of therapy and prefer to participate in group therapy instead. Group therapy is an excellent way to help participants learn to manage their emotions and feelings. There are several different group therapy strategies available and some individuals find that working with groups that have similar goals and values as their own can be very helpful. Some Borderline Personality Disorder groups focus on identifying negative patterns and how to avoid repeating these behaviors while other groups focus on implementing new ways to help the individual deal with difficult emotions. There are many group therapies available for people who suffer from borderline personality disorder.

The use of medications is an important part of treatment for those with BPD. Common treatment methods for this condition include ULP or Urine Oncology. UHP stands for Urinary High Blood Pressure and is the name given to a type of drug used in the treatment of BPD. UCL is short for Urinary Clonidine and it is the main medication in many of the newer beta blockers for controlling high blood pressure and mood related problems.

Dr. David E. Larson, who is the president of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, believes that patients with Borderline Personality Disorder should not be denied access to drug therapies that are designed to treat emotional and physical illnesses. “There is a strong link between emotional and physical illnesses and drug abuse and suicide. “Larson says, and “there is a definite connection between emotional trauma and suicidal behavior in those with personality disorders.” If you or someone you love is suffering from BPD, please contact your local mental health agency to determine if you or a loved one is eligible for drug abuse detox.

Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by an unstable emotional state coupled with extreme behaviors and compulsions. People suffering from BPD struggle with their own self-image, feelings of shame and guilt and difficulties managing their anger and emotions. They constantly worry about how they look and are preoccupied with their appearance. When not addressed, these problems can take years to unravel resulting in a pessimistic self-image and poor self-esteem.

A psychiatrist who specializes in BPD will conduct one or more in-depth interviews as part of his or her treatment. During the interview, the psychiatrist will attempt to identify the patient’s feelings and thoughts. Interviews provide the psychiatrist with a unique opportunity to delve into the inner workings of the person’s mind to learn about his or her motivations and thoughts. In addition, diagnostic tests such as the Structured Clinical Interview for BPD (SCIF), the AUDIT-IV and the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Examination (PDE) are also conducted. Once these tests are completed, the psychiatrist will compile a personalized treatment plan focused specifically on the patient’s needs.

Treatment plans may include an extended period of psychotherapy, including family and group counseling. Counseling can help the person struggling with BPD understand and learn new coping mechanisms for dealing with challenging emotions and symptoms of the disorder. Self-help programs are also available, such as those focusing on maintaining a healthy relationship and developing assertive behaviors. Although BPD is a mental disorder that can be difficult to treat, with the right help and support, people with BPD can lead normal lives.