Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can make you feel out-of-control, isolated, and exhausted. Fash Counseling has several counselors who have experience working with clients who have BPD and are eager to provide counseling in a safe, non-judgmental space.
We understand that BPD can be a complex and challenging condition, and our goal is to help you navigate your emotions, develop coping skills, and improve your overall well-being.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of intense emotional instability, difficulty with relationships, and an unstable sense of self.
1. Common BPD symptoms:
- Extreme mood swings
- Intense and rapidly shifting emotions, such as anger, sadness, or anxiety
- Chronic feelings of emptiness or worthlessness
- Fear of abandonment or rejection, leading to difficulties in relationships
2. Impulsive Behavior:
- Impulsive behavior
- Engaging in impulsive actions, such as excessive spending, substance abuse, or risky sexual behavior
- Self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or burning, as a way to cope with emotional distress
3. Unstable relationships
- Difficulty establishing and maintaining stable relationships
- Fear of real or imagined abandonment, leading to clingy or dependent behaviors
The Impact of BPD
BPD can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including:
- Struggling to maintain stable relationships due to intense emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and impulsive behaviors
- An unstable sense of self, making it challenging for individuals to have a consistent and positive self-image
- Emotional instability and impulsive behaviors can interfere with job performance, leading to difficulties in maintaining employment or academic progress
Counseling for BPD
Fash Counseling uses evidence-based counseling techniques, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and Mentalization-based therapy (MBT).
DBT is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals with BPD develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT is highly effective in reducing self-destructive behaviors and improving overall functioning.
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) focuses on improving the individual's ability to understand and interpret their own and others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions. MBT aims to help clients recognize and reflect on internal experiences and understand the mental states of others. Through MBT, individuals with BPD can develop more effective ways of relating to others, regulating emotions, and reducing self-destructive behaviors.
Strategies to Improve BPD Symptoms
While BPD can present challenges, it is important to remember that recovery and stability are attainable. Here are some strategies that can help you on your journey:
- Prioritize self-care activities, such as practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in hobbies, getting sufficient rest, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle
- Surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, and mental health professionals who can provide understanding, empathy, and guidance
- Engage in mindfulness exercises like meditation to cultivate self-awareness, regulate emotions, and reduce impulsive behaviors
Some people feel embarrassed or even ashamed about their Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis and its impact on their lives. We want to assure that at Fash Counseling, you will be treated with dignity, respect, and empathy. If you or a loved one are suffering from BPD, please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can connect you with a compassionate, qualified counselor.
Fash Counseling has counselors in both Illinois (Bolingbrook and Glen Ellyn) and virtually across Arizona who are experienced in working with clients with Borderline Personality Disorder.