Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in Wylie, TX

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex condition that occurs for a multitude of reasons – including childhood abuse or neglect, and a number of other biological, genetic, and environmental factors. Many of the patterns exhibited by a person with BPD arise from adverse experiences in both childhood and throughout their life, and it can be particularly challenging for the individual to return to a stable emotional state after a triggering event.

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Unfortunately, prior to receiving a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, a person with BPD is often referred to as being “dramatic”, “moody”, or “impulsive” due to their seemingly extreme reactions to certain stimuli. Left untreated, these responses can lead to significant difficulties in school, work, or personal relationships.

Signs and symptoms that often appear in those with borderline personality disorder include:

• A pattern of unstable relationships
• Wide-ranging mood swings lasting from a few hours up to a few days that can have the person feeling incredibly happy one moment and extremely irritable the next
• Intense fear of abandonment or rejection
• A distorted or constantly changing self-image – feeling as if they do not know who they really are
• Impulsive decisions that often place the individual in risky or dangerous situations
• Persistent feelings of emptiness
• Uncontrollable anger that is often immediately followed by feelings of shame
• Dissociation from one’s own thoughts or identity
• Stress-related paranoia or suspiciousness
• Inappropriate reactions, including physical outbursts, that are often a result of the person losing their temper

It can be very helpful for individuals with these symptoms to seek professional assistance. With the help of a mental health professional like Dr. Gardner, people with borderline personality disorder can learn to manage their condition in a way that helps them thrive in their relationships and learn to manage the symptoms of this condition.

Causes & Risk Factors

There is no exact cause of borderline personality disorder, though there are several known factors that can increase a person’s chances of having the condition. Roughly 75% of all individuals diagnosed with BPD are female, though research suggests that many men with this condition tend to be misdiagnosed with a similar disorder like PTSD or depression, and so it is unclear if BPD is actually influenced by a person’s gender.

Genetics and hereditary predisposition likely play a role in this condition. For example, if your mother suffered from BPD, then you are at an increased risk of exhibiting symptoms, though there is no guarantee as to whether any person will or will not experience a borderline personality disorder.

In addition to having a family history of borderline personality disorder, individuals are also at an increased risk if they experienced a particularly stressful or traumatic childhood.

Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

It can take several sessions in order to accurately determine if an individual is experiencing BPD. Dr. Gardner will typically being the treatment process by getting to know more about the patient, their triggers, and any preferences they have about how they would like to proceed in their treatment plan. No two patients are exactly alike, and so it is important to take a unique approach to each patient so that he or she can find solutions that best fit the particular patient and their goals.

Psychotherapy for BPD

A specific form of behavioral therapy has shown to be highly effective in treating individuals with borderline personality disorder. This approach, known as DBT or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, focuses on developing healthy coping mechanisms and distress tolerance so that he or she is able to respond to any emotional dysregulation in a way that is not harmful or destructive to themselves or others. Psychotherapy has demonstrated long term success in borderline personality disorder and is often one of the first treatment options recommended for individuals with this condition.

Medication Management

There are many different types of medications that can be prescribed by Dr. Gardner to help patients manage symptoms of BPD. Mood stabilizers and antidepressants are frequently used, though the particular medication(s) given will depend largely on the individual and their unique symptoms. These medications may be prescribed for daily use, or only on an as-needed basis when the patient experiences times of extreme stress.