Do you know someone with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? If so, you may also notice how stigmatized this condition is within our society and popular cultures.
This stigma can make life more difficult for someone with a cognitive and emotional disorder.
It doesn’t have to be this way– we should take the time to understand Borderline Personality Disorder so that the people living with it can receive the help they need without being stigmatized.
In this article, we’ll explore BPD diagnosis and stigma and how we can work to reduce stigma against mental illness.
What is BPD?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by difficulty regulating emotions and thoughts, impulsive behavior, and chronic relationship instability.
People with BPD may experience feelings of emptiness, depressed mood, fear of abandonment, extreme mood swings, anger outbursts, and self-harming behavior.
They often have a distorted self-image and may engage in reckless behavior or take extreme measures to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
People with BPD can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatment options help people identify and change maladaptive behaviors that cause distress.
Medication may also help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other conditions accompanying BPD.
The Diagnostic Criteria for BPD
The Diagnostic Criteria for BPD is a set of criteria used by mental health professionals to diagnose Borderline Personality Disorder.
To be diagnosed with BPD, an individual must meet at least five of the nine criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
These include having:
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Unstable and intense relationships
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Impulsivity in two or more areas that are potentially self-damaging
- Recurrent suicidal behaviors and ideation
- Feelings of emptiness and dissociation
- Inappropriate or intense anger
- Chronic feelings of boredom
- Transient stress-related paranoia
It is important to note that none of these symptoms alone are enough to diagnose someone with BPD; instead, it is a combination of several criteria that must be met before a diagnosis can be made by a certified healthcare professional.
Treatment Options for BPD
Those suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD) are typically treated through psychotherapy, medication, and/or a combination of the two.
Psychotherapy, or more specifically talk therapy, is usually the go-to treatment for many of those suffering from BPD. While talk therapy is typically helpful for those with this condition, other specific forms of psychotherapy may also be used, such as:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
- Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
While medication is another common treatment for BPD, there is no specific medication that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. Though, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood-stabilizing drugs can help with co-occuring conditions such as depression, impulsiveness, aggression, or anxiety.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has also been shown to alleviate symptoms of BPD. TMS is a cutting-edge alternative therapy that directs magnetic pulses to the areas of the brain that impact mood control.
The Impact of Stigma Towards People with BPD
BPD is a severe mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.
Unfortunately, due to the stigma associated with the disorder, many people with BPD experience shame and guilt and hesitate to seek help.
This can profoundly negatively affect their well-being and ability to reach out for support when needed.
The stigma around BPD is perpetuated by both society and the media, which often portrays those with the disorder as “dangerous” or “unpredictable.”
This only worsens existing negative stereotypes and leads to further discrimination against those suffering from this condition.
As a result, individuals with BPD may feel like they cannot talk openly about their experiences or seek help without fear of judgment or ridicule.
By providing education, advocacy, and support for those living with BPD, we can create an environment where everyone feels safe enough to reach out for assistance when needed.
Get a Free Consultation
Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis and stigma is a complex subject often misunderstood. It affects many people around us and understanding it can help us be more sympathetic and open to different perspectives.
If you think you or someone close to you may have BPD, it’s always best to talk to a trained professional for advice and treatment options.
Free consultations are available at NeuroSpa, where our medical professionals offer talk therapy, psychiatric care, TMS therapy, and additional cutting-edge treatment offerings that are tailored to your unique mental health concerns.
Get the personalized treatment you deserve and set up a free consultation today.
This blog post is meant to be educational in nature and does not replace the advice of a medical professional. See full disclaimer.
