What is the most effective therapy for borderline personality disorder?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) began as a way to help manage crisis behavior, such as suicidal behavior or self-harm. It is the most commonly recommended therapy for BPD.


What is the most effective treatment of borderline personality disorder currently?

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy — also called talk therapy — is a fundamental treatment approach for borderline personality disorder.

What is the gold standard treatment for borderline personality disorder?

Born from the randomized controlled trial by Linehan and colleagues in 1991, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has become the gold standard for treatment of individuals who are suicidal and have borderline personality disorder.


What are some coping mechanisms for BPD?

You could:
  • Wrap up in a blanket and watch your favourite TV show.
  • Write all your negative feelings on a piece of paper and tear it up.
  • Listen to music that you find uplifting or soothing.
  • Write a comforting letter to the part of yourself that is feeling sad or alone.
  • Let yourself cry or sleep.
  • Cuddle a pet or a soft toy.


What are five treatment options for BPD?

Five major treatments—DBT, mentalization-based treatment (MBT) [1], schema-focused therapy (SFT) [2], transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) [3], and systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS) [4]—have been established as evidence based treatments (EBTs) for BPD [5].


Treatment Strategies for Borderline Personality Disorder



What is the best mood stabilizer for borderline personality disorder?

BPD is sometimes treated with medications for anxiety or depression, for instance, which may reduce some symptoms.
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Common anticonvulsants and mood stabilizers for BPD include:
  • Depakote (valproate)
  • Lamictal (lamotrigine)
  • Lithobid (lithium)
  • Tegretol or Carbatrol (carbamazepine)


What is the most common medication for BPD?

Antipsychotics are widely used in BPD, as they are believed to be effective in improving impulsivity, aggression, anxiety and psychotic symptoms [Nose et al. 2006; American Psychiatric Association, 2001].

What is the first line treatment for borderline personality disorder?

First-line treatment for BPD is psychotherapy [5-7]. Psychotropic medications are used as adjuncts to psychotherapy, targeting specific BPD symptom clusters. Adjunctive use of symptom targeted medications has been found to be useful [8].


How do you calm down a BPD trigger?

If you suffer from borderline personality disorder, here are some ways to help cope with the symptoms that can lead to or trigger an episode:
  1. Take a warm shower or bath.
  2. Play music that relaxes you.
  3. Engage in a physical activity.
  4. Do brain teasers or problem-solving activities.
  5. Talk to a sympathetic loved one.


How do you soothe BPD rage?

Here are some tips on healthy ways to manage your anger with BPD.
  1. Count to 10. Hero Images / Getty Images. ...
  2. Notice Your Anger Earlier. Hero Images / Getty Images. ...
  3. Take a Break. Betsie Van Der Meer / Getty Images. ...
  4. Distract Yourself. ...
  5. Take Deep Breaths. ...
  6. Ground Yourself. ...
  7. Listen to Calming Music. ...
  8. Practice Letting Go.


What happens if borderline personality disorder is not treated?

Borderline personality disorder can significantly affect a family unit in a negative way. When a loved one is not being treated for this condition, effects on the family can include excessive conflict, diminished contact, and the loss of previously valued relationships.


Does BPD count as a disability?

The Social Security Administration placed borderline personality disorder as one of the mental health disorders on its disabilities list. However, you'll have to meet specific criteria for an official disability finding. For example, you must prove that you have the symptoms of the condition.

Why is borderline personality so difficult to treat?

Personality disorders are difficult to treat because it's very difficult for someone suffering from one of these disorders to separate their personality (how they interact with others, how they view the world, and how they think about themselves) from the symptoms of their mental illness.

How do you fix BPD without medication?

8 Natural Remedies for BPD Without Medication [Therapist-Approved]
  1. Therapy. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is almost always the first line of treatment for people who've received a BPD diagnosis. ...
  2. Vitamin C Supplements. ...
  3. Herbs. ...
  4. Foods with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. ...
  5. Magnesium. ...
  6. Vitamin D. ...
  7. Chocolate or Cacao. ...
  8. Stress Management Skills.


Do borderlines ever recover?

While there is no definitive cure for BPD, it is absolutely treatable. 1 In fact, with the right treatment approach, you can be well on the road to recovery and remission. While remission and recovery are not necessarily a "cure," both constitute the successful treatment of BPD.

Can you cure BPD without medication?

Overcoming BPD without medication is possible, but you should always follow the guidance and treatment plan set forth by your doctor or health care provider. Medication isn't necessarily the primary treatment for BPD in most cases. It's typically only used to treat specific symptoms such as depression or mood swings.

What causes BPD flare ups?

Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.


What does borderline rage look like?

Anger that is intense, uncontrolled or inappropriate can be a devastating symptom for someone who has BPD. They may be driven by a desire to be connected to others, yet loss of emotional control frequently drives others away. In some cases, the level of rage experienced can lead to violence.

How do you stop arguing with borderline personality disorder?

How to survive an argument with someone with BPD
  1. Genuinely try to listen. ...
  2. Validate their feelings, not their behaviours. ...
  3. See their inner child. ...
  4. Setting kind but firm boundaries. ...
  5. Honour yourself. ...
  6. Be specific. ...
  7. Be open. ...
  8. Suggest alternatives.


What is the root of borderline personality disorder?

being a victim of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. being exposed to long-term fear or distress as a child. being neglected by 1 or both parents. growing up with another family member who had a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or a drink or drug misuse problem.


What kind of personality is attracted to someone with BPD?

Borderline/dependent: A person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is well-matched with a person who has a dependent personality disorder (DPD). The BPD has an intense fear of abandonment which is a good match for the DPD who will not leave even a dysfunctional relationship.

What are the 9 criteria for BPD?

The 9 symptoms of BPD
  • Fear of abandonment. People with BPD are often terrified of being abandoned or left alone. ...
  • Unstable relationships. ...
  • Unclear or shifting self-image. ...
  • Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. ...
  • Self-harm. ...
  • Extreme emotional swings. ...
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness. ...
  • Explosive anger.


Which disorder is BPD most commonly diagnosed as?

BPD Looks Like So Many Other Mental Health Conditions

In particular, there is evidence that BPD is commonly misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, Type 2.


Do borderlines have social anxiety?

A marked and persistent fear of social interaction is often diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder, and it is a common co-occurring disorder for those with Borderline Personality Disorder. It may even be an initial diagnosis if it presents as the biggest problem a patient has to address through the therapeutic process.

What is the best antidepressant for BPD?

Antidepressants for BPD may be recommended if you have comorbid depression, anxiety, or if your psychiatrist expects that they with help with your symptoms related to the BPD.
...
Some examples include:
  • Celexa (citalopram)
  • Lexapro (escitalopram)
  • Prozac (fluoxetine)
  • Zoloft (sertraline)
  • Paxil (paroxetine)