Instability in relationships, mood swings, and an unsteady sense of self are all hallmarks of borderline personality disorder (BPD). People with the condition and those who care about them can suffer greatly as a result of the condition. Many people feel relieved when they finally get an accurate diagnosis after years of confusing behavior. It is also possible to improve one’s quality of life by obtaining a proper diagnosis. A psychiatrist in Florida can tell if a patient has borderline personality disorder based on the criteria he or she uses to make a BPD diagnosis.
An evaluation by a mental health professional is recommended for people with borderline personality disorder symptoms (such as impulsiveness, reckless behavior; unstable self-image; dramatic mood swings; and broken relationships). Clinical social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists can all diagnose and treat mental health issues. Family doctors and general practitioners aren’t qualified to diagnose BPD but they can refer you to an experienced mental health provider who has the expertise necessary for your treatment. Psychological tests and assessments may be ordered by your doctor to learn more about your mental health and whether or not you have a borderline personality disorder. For a mental health professional to make an accurate diagnosis they need to know about your symptoms, background, and family history. By being as specific as possible about your symptoms, you can aid your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will want to know how your symptoms have affected your personal and professional life, as well as when they began.
In addition to medical history, your healthcare provider may inquire about your personal life, including your childhood. The odds of having borderline personality disorder are higher if you have a parent or sibling who suffers from it, according to recent research on the subject. As painful as it may be, be honest with yourself when answering questions about your childhood and family. BPD is more likely to develop if you have a history of trauma, abuse, or neglect. To rule out any physical causes for your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a complete medical examination.
BPD Criteria
For a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, you must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).
- Intense fear of abandonment
- The pattern of unstable relationships
- Unstable self-image
- Impulsive, potentially dangerous behavior, including unsafe sex, reckless driving and substance abuse
- Self-harming behavior (such as cutting) or suicide attempts
- Dramatic mood swings
- Chronic feeling of emptiness
- Inappropriate or uncontrolled anger
- Paranoid thoughts, delusions or temporary disconnect from reality.
Many of these symptoms can be found in people with a variety of mental health issues. For example, mood swings and paranoia are hallmarks of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. People with BPD often have brief paranoid episodes, whereas schizophrenia patients may have more prolonged paranoid episodes. These details help healthcare providers distinguish between overlapping mental health conditions. As a result, it can take mental health providers a long time to separate symptoms and behavior and arrive at an accurate diagnosis for BPD because the condition frequently coexists with other mental health conditions, including ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. People with BPD are sometimes first diagnosed with another disorder, such as ADHD. After treatment for ADHD, your doctor may begin to suspect that you have a more serious mental illness (such as BPD). Tell your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away, even after you’ve been diagnosed and treated.
Many people with BPD report significant improvement after receiving treatment. Treatment also reduces the risk of a person with BPD taking their own life. Psychotherapy is the most common form of treatment for people with borderline personality disorder. Even though it’s not an immediate fix, you can learn new coping strategies and develop healthy thought patterns and behaviors over time. BPD diagnosis and treatment can open the door to personal fulfillment and close relationships with friends and family members.
BPD Brains work Differently
Many people with BPD report significant improvement after receiving treatment. Treatment also reduces the risk of a person with BPD taking their own life. Psychotherapy is the most common form of treatment for people with a borderline personality disorder. Even though it’s not an immediate fix, you can learn new coping strategies and develop healthy thought patterns and behaviors over time. BPD diagnosis and treatment can open the door to personal fulfillment and close relationships with friends and family members.
For borderline personality disorder, a combination of counseling and medication is the most effective treatment method. Your emotional well-being will be a primary focus of counseling, psychotherapy, or talk therapy. You can, for example, observe your feelings rather than act on them (e.g., “I feel very angry right now”). It aids your day-to-day activities and interpersonal relationships. Counseling can take place in either a one-on-one or group setting.
Since its inception, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been used to treat people who engage in risky behavior, such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts and actions. It is the treatment of choice for BPD sufferers the world over. Mindfulness, or a focus on the here and now, is a key component. As a result, you become more cognizant of your feelings, thoughts, and actions. You’ll learn how to deal with difficult emotions and how to communicate clearly. Focusing on the fundamental beliefs you hold about yourself and others is the primary goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Similar to CBT, Schema-Focused Therapy reframes negative self-perceptions into positive ones. Symptoms can be managed with medication. Psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants and anxiety relievers, may be beneficial for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Antipsychotic medication may be recommended by your therapist if you’re having frequent or severe episodes of distorted thinking. Self-harming behaviors such as cutting and suicide attempts are common in BPD, so you may require hospitalization for treatment.
Delray Beach Psychiatry; Border Line Personality Disorder
Include loved ones and members of your treatment team in your support network. Discuss your feelings with them. It’s better to let it out than to keep it all inside. A person or situation that causes you distress should be documented and discussed with your counselor. Being kind to yourself is the best medicine of all. Use the resources you’ve built up for yourself. Being diagnosed with BPD isn’t your fault; what is, however, is how you deal with it on a daily basis. Florida’s Delray Brach Psychiatry in Delray Beach can help you reclaim your life. Get started on your path to recovery by contacting us today!
