8 Ways To Recognize And Navigate Borderline Personality Disorder
Do you know someone who is manipulative, self-destructive, and volatile? Do they have sudden swings of emotion where they cry one moment and rage the next? If so, there’s a good chance that the person is showing signs of borderline personality disorder.
There are more than 10 million cases of borderline personality disorder reported in India. Yet it remains one of the most misunderstood disorders in today’s society.
It’s true that Borderline Personality Disorder cannot be treated, but seeking professional help has proven to reduce the signs of BPD and build healthier coping strategies to manage them. Many people assume it’s nothing more than dramatic or “catty” behavior. But BPD is much more than that. It’s a severe mental illness with intense psychological and emotional signs of borderline personality disorder.
Let’s explore the signs of borderline personality disorder through this article and why it remains so misunderstood.
Table Of Contents
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
A borderline personality disorder is an emotionally unstable disorder that causes intense fear, distress, and self-destructive behavior. It is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. People with BPD usually experience intense mood swings, trouble controlling their emotions, and intense fears of abandonment. Sufferers frequently engage in impulsive behavior and have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
While BPD can occur in people of any age, it’s most common among young adults. This personality disorder differs from other mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression in two key ways.
First, BPD is marked by intense emotions and mood swings that can change in an instant. People with this disorder often experience feeling intense love, joy, and anger within seconds, if not sooner. Mood swings are a common symptom of borderline personality disorder. People with depression, on the other hand, experience a general and consistent sadness.
Second, BPD sufferers feel these strong emotions about themselves. They experience extremely low self-esteem, feel shame about themselves, and have difficulties loving themselves and others. People with depression, on the other hand, feel sad about their life, relationships, and future.
8 Signs Of Borderline Personality Disorder
Understanding and being aware of the signs of borderline personality disorder can help you seek help on time and become better at managing the challenges of this illness. Let’s take a look at them:
1. Intense and Unstable Relationships
People suffering from this illness have intense but unstable relationships, often feeling one minute that they’re madly in love with someone and the next minute feeling hated by them. The degree of love and hate these individuals feel for others is so extreme that they often end up pushing away the very people they love.
2. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
People showing signs of borderline personality disorder will often try to cope with their pain by abusing substances such as alcohol or drugs or by engaging in self-harm like cutting or burning themselves. Suicide is a serious risk for them, especially when they feel cornered or don’t know how to cope with their emotions.
3. Extreme and Unreasonable Reactions
One of the signs of borderline personality disorder is a tendency to overreact to situations. Their reactions are often extreme and unreasonable. For example, someone with BPD may feel extremely angry and want to break up with their partner for no specific reason.
4. Mood Swings
Mood swings are key signs of borderline personality disorder. Individuals frequently experience sudden and extreme shifts in emotion, from feeling happy or calm to feeling angry or sad. These mood swings are often triggered by something that happens in the person’s environment, like an argument with a friend.
5. Intense and Unpredictable Sensitivity
People with BPD are extremely sensitive and may react strongly to comments or events that others would brush off. For example, if a close friend cancels a lunch date, a person with BPD may feel extremely hurt and think that their friend is mad at them when really the person was just too busy.
6. Feeling of Being an Outcast
People showing signs of borderline personality disorder often feel like an outcast, as if they don’t belong in the world. They may feel like they don’t have friends or that they’re unwanted by society. This feeling of being an outcast is often coupled with an intense feeling of shame.
7. Abandonment Issues
People with BPD often fear that others will abandon them, even if their friends and family constantly assure them of their support. The signs may also include having a difficult time being committed to others and staying in relationships.
8. Suicidal Thoughts or Actions
BPD is often associated with having suicidal thoughts or actions. While not all people suffering from this illness have suicidal thoughts, many are at risk for self-harm and suicide.
Why Is BPD So Misunderstood?
As mentioned earlier, Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Often mistaken for “dramatic” or “attention-seeking” behavior, it’s a complex disorder that involves intense, shifting emotions, impulsive actions and struggles with self-image and relationships. Because of these overlapping symptoms, it’s sometimes misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety, making it even harder for people to find the right help.
Misconceptions about this disorder can lead people to view those affected as manipulative or difficult. In reality, many individuals with this condition face deep-rooted feelings of shame and confusion, often believing they are “bad” people, rather than recognizing that they are struggling with a legitimate mental health issue. Increased understanding and compassion can help reduce the stigma, allowing those affected to seek proper diagnosis and support.
3 Ways to Help a Loved One with BPD
If you can detect any signs of borderline personality disorder in an individual who you share a close relation with, encourage them to take therapy under the guidance of a skilled therapist. In addition to that, you can also practice these 3 effective ways to help someone struggling with borderline personality disorder.
Create a Safe Space
Emotions and feelings are normal, but they can also be harmful. People with BPD often need a safe space to talk about their feelings, but may not feel comfortable enough to talk to someone they love. If you have a loved one with BPD, create a safe space for them to talk about how they’re feeling.
Avoid over-correcting
While you should create a safe space for your loved one with BPD, you should avoid correcting their emotions. Instead, listen to their feelings and help them work through them.
Don’t Let Your Own Emotions Control You
Your emotions are your own and you can control them. While you should listen to your loved ones, don’t let their emotions control you and turn your life upside down. Let your loved ones know that you care about them, but that you want to focus on keeping yourself together and happy as well.
Conclusion
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can feel overwhelming, causing intense emotional swings, deep fears of abandonment, and even self-destructive patterns that can strain relationships. Many people with this disorder face misunderstanding and misdiagnosis, but recognizing the signs—like difficulty regulating emotions and mood swings—can be a powerful step toward growth.
While a strong support system is invaluable, working with a professional therapist can be transformative. Therapy offers tools and strategies to manage emotions, improve self-awareness, and help foster more stable, fulfilling relationships. Though challenging, learning to understand and navigate BPD’s unique challenges can lead to a healthier and more balanced life.
Can You Take Online Therapy To Manage The Symptoms Of BPD?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can bring intense emotions, impulsive actions, and challenges in relationships. Online therapy can be a great way to manage these symptoms from the comfort of your home, or anywhere. This is especially crucial for those who might need real-time guidance or prefer privacy and convenience.
Consistency and finding a therapist who understands BPD are key. At Holistic Living Wellness Studio, we offer online sessions tailored to meet your unique needs, helping you work toward emotional stability and healthier relationships. Taking this first step could be life-changing—reach out to us to explore how online therapy can support your journey.
How To Book A Session With Us?
To book an offline or online therapy session with the Holistic Living Wellness Studio, you can click on our WhatsApp link to initiate a FREE 10-minute chat or call with our therapist. We will then set up a convenient appointment time.
You can even connect directly with us at 91-9321073548.
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