Positive News about Treating Borderline Personality Disorder Clients who come me to suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or have a loved one with this condition are often initially discouraged or fearful to talk with me about it. This reaction is common because it has been well known that many therapists will not treat patients who have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. The thought has been that these patients are too challenging and that the prognosis for successful treatment is too poor. These two considerations still prevail in many circles, but there have been significant advances in the treatment of borderline patients. Here are some important findings that help dispel the myths of this condition:
1. Borderline Personality (BPD) is now known as a brain condition that results from inherent biological disturbances in certain chemical processes required for optimal brain function in interactin with certain environmental condition. To read more about this linkage, see Causes by Robert O. Fridel, MD. http://www.bpddemystified.com/what-is-bpd/causes
2. BPD is a painfully difficult condition to live with, both for the person suffering from it and for those who love them and can be challenging for mental health practitioners, but it is no longer considered impossible to treat.
3. While, like many chronic conditions, BPD is most likely not curable and will remain a lifelong challenge, newer approaches and knowledge of the condition make it possible for those who wish to commit to the efforts required to manage this condition and live rewarding lives.
4. Those with borderline personality disorder often also have other accompanying emotional, behavioral, psychological and physical conditions that must also be treated such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, ADHD, migraine headaches and/or substance abuse. You can find out more about possible co-occurring illnesses at http://www.bpddemystified.com/what-is-bpd/co-occuring-disorders/
5. Mediation may be helpful. Though supportive therapy, psychotherapy and most importantly certain forms of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT, MCBT and DBT) are central to treatment medication can reduce some of the most burdensome symptoms of the disorder to a more tolerable level. You can read more about the use of medications in treating BPD conditions at Medications: The Appropriate Use of Medications by Dr. Fridel. http://www.bpddemystified.com/treatments/medication/ If you are wondering if you or a loved one is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, take this simple test and if so seek treatment for your loved one.
- Do You or Your Loved Once Suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder? http://www.bpddemystified.com/resources/online-test/ This site lists common symptoms and provides an immediate response self-test. If the results of the test suggest treatment would be indicated, please contact me, as there are no listed for our area. If specialized treatment is needed I can make appropriate referrals as near as possible out of the area.
To determine if a therapist is the right one for you or your loved one and what commitment successful treatment requires, see these resources:
- The Six Key Elements of Treatment: http://www.bpddemystified.com/treatments/
- Phases of Treatment http://www.bpddemystified.com/treatments/a-three-phase-model-of-integrated-treatment-of-bpd-with-medications-and-psychotherapy/ and http://www.bpddemystified.com/treatments/psychotherapy/
- How to Choose a Therapist http://www.bpdcentral.com/therapists/choose-bpd-therapist/
- Hope for the Future http://www.bpddemystified.com/the-future/
- Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified, a book by Dr. Robert Friedel , providing extensive information BPD that has sold over 70,000 worldwide.
I hope this information and these resources are helpful to you and please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns about this challenging condition. Finally there are several ways to help live with loved ones who struggle with borderline personality disorders.
