Borderline Personality Disorder: Treatments

How is borderline personality disorder treated?

Psychotherapy forms the foundation of treatment of borderline personality disorder. Medications may be used to treat mood instability, depression, or disordered thinking. Although borderline personality disorder can be difficult to treat, many people improve with therapy. A type of psychotherapy designed specifically for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, called dialectical behavior therapy, has shown promise in clinical trials.

Hospitalization may be needed as part of treatment if threats of suicide, substance abuse, or psychosis are present, or in times of significant stress.

Types of psychotherapy commonly used to treat borderline personality disorder

Different types of psychotherapy may be used to treat borderline personality disorder including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior
• Dialectical behavior therapy to work on acceptance, problem solving, skill development, thought patterns, and behavior
• Family therapy to help develop familial support and understanding
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy to work on discovering and understanding past issues and their relationship to current behaviors and actions

Medications that may be used in the treatment of borderline personality disorder

If there are coexisting psychiatric conditions or symptoms, such as depressed mood, unstable mood, or psychosis, medications may be used in addition to psychotherapy. Medications commonly used include:

• Antidepressants to treat depression or depressed mood
• Antipsychotics to treat psychoses or disordered thinking
• Mood stabilizers to treat bipolar disorder or unstable moods

What you can do to improve your borderline personality disorder

In addition to engaging in psychotherapy and taking medications if recommended, you may be able to improve the likelihood of success of your treatment by:

• Avoiding alcohol or illicit drugs
• Avoiding making decisions based on emotions
• Getting enough sleep
• Getting regular exercise
• Seeking help immediately if you feel like hurting yourself or others

What are the potential complications of borderline personality disorder?

Complications of untreated or poorly controlled borderline personality disorder can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of borderline personality disorder include:

• Abuse of drugs or alcohol
• Depression
• Difficulties maintaining relationships
• Eating disorders
• Legal or financial problems
• Problems at work
• Self-harm
• Strained familial relationships
• Suicide

References:

Borderline personality disorder. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001931/. Accessed May 28, 2011.

Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml. Accessed May 28, 2011.