Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is a complex mental health condition involving emotional instability, relationship difficulties, and impulsive behaviors. At Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas, licensed professional counselor Eva Foster, LPC, offers treatments to help you develop healthy coping skills and lead a fulfilling life. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.

What is borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder affecting your ability to regulate your emotions. You might experience intense feelings and uncontrollable emotions after a traumatic event. This can lead to negative thoughts about yourself and cause you to act impulsively, which can disrupt interpersonal relationships.

Which symptoms does borderline personality disorder cause?

The symptoms of borderline personality disorder include:

• Self-sabotage
• Reckless behaviors
• Self-harm
• Fear of abandonment
• Impulsive behaviors
• Negative self-view
• Unstable relationships
• Mood changes
• Intense emotions
• Thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation) or self-harm
• Intense anger
• Feeling empty
• Hallucinations
• Disconnected thoughts
• Substance misuse
• Unstable relationships
• Financial or legal challenges

Borderline personality disorder affects about 1 in 100 people in the United States. Symptoms vary from person to person and range in severity.

What can increase my risk of borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder risk factors include:

• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Removal of a child from their parent or caregiver
• Family history of borderline personality disorder
• Being female
• Having another mental health disorder

Depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder can increase your chance of borderline personality disorder. Your risk is five times greater if you have a first-degree relative (an immediate family member) with the condition. Borderline personality disorder can’t be prevented, but therapy helps manage it.

How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?

Eva diagnoses borderline personality disorder by completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. She asks about your family history, lifestyle, thoughts, moods, emotions, and behaviors to learn if you have a mental health disorder and the best way to manage your concerns.

How is borderline personality disorder treated?

Therapies available for borderline personality disorder at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, include:

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Schema therapy (ST)
• Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
• Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Person-centered therapy
• Somatic therapy
• Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem-Solving (STEPPS)

It’s also helpful to eat nutritious foods, minimize your stress, stay active, get enough sleep, maintain social connections, and avoid drugs and alcohol. 

The right treatment can teach you the skills needed to manage behaviors and emotions in a healthy and safe way, allowing you to live your best life.

Schedule a borderline personality disorder evaluation at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.