What does it look like to live with a Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? For some, there might be a crippling fear of abandonment that rises up when someone is late or cancels a meeting. It might not make sense, but they might respond by being extremely angry or aggressive as a result. Someone with BPD might also constantly need people to be around them and are afraid when they are suddenly alone.
An individual with a BPD might also change their self-image constantly. A new career path might often seem ideal, opinions might shift too easily, friend groups seem transient and values are swayed. Above all else, they are unsure of who they are in relation to others. Another person with BPD might be intense about relationships. They might feel like they’ve fallen in love quickly and deeply or might rely on friends to be present whenever they need. They might build people up on a pedestal, only to devalue them soon after.
Put simply, BPD describes the patterns of behavior that an individual has when they are extremely unstable in relationships, their sense of self and their emotions. Someone living with a BPD might also be very impulsive and make frequent rash and dangerous decisions.
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BPD is often diagnosed in young adults and symptoms tend to intensify as they grow older. Individuals need to exhibit a combination of multiple symptoms, however, for a diagnosis of BPD to be reached.
After diagnosis, there are multiple options for treatment that a mental health professional can direct someone to. Various types of therapy such as psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and schema-focused therapy are all viable opportunities for creating a healthy outlook and positive coping mechanisms. While the reality of a BPD might be stressful and intimidating, there are opportunities to move forward and live confidently.
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