Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of many medically classified personality disorders, known to cause intense emotions, unstable relationships and associated mental health conditions. Although there are different degrees of the disorder, without professional intervention, side effects can advance, resulting in chronic mental health issues and the potential for drug or alcohol addiction to develop.
As there are different degrees of borderline personality disorder, it is very important that the exact severity is identified before offering appropriate treatment. Some individuals can experience severe side effects, where suicidal behaviours correlate highly with the disorder.
People with a diagnosed borderline personality will struggle to maintain relationships and control their actions while living with a defined view of life. They will follow a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ outlook on reality, making it difficult to maintain normal, day-to-day functions.
To minimise the side effects of a dual diagnosis, along with receiving treatment, reach out to our team here at Asana Lodge. We are specialists in addiction and mental health recovery, offering effective, non-traditional routes to psychological and physical rehabilitation.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Classified as a personality disorder, BPD affects the entirety of an individual’s persona. From mood and feelings to their actions and behaviours, the disorder is known to control outlooks and interaction abilities. BPD is identified as a serious mental illness, requiring professional intervention.
Without considering treatment for borderline personality disorder or addiction, there is a high risk that additional mental health conditions will develop. This can be extremely difficult for people who experience a high degree of the disorder, resulting in a dual diagnosis.
Therefore, if you’re experiencing any symptoms of a personality disorder, mental health problem and drug or alcohol addiction, we recommend contacting our team here at Asana Lodge. Known to improve mental health, while easing side effects, we can help gauge the severity of your BPD, while encouraging effective treatment options. Without reaching out to mental health professionals, a future of borderline personality disorder and the commonly experienced challenges will be likely.
The Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder
Many individuals with little knowledge surrounding personality disorders will believe that personas are character flaws or weaknesses. They will believe that actions and behaviours are selected. Although the causes of mental health conditions vary, borderline personality disorder is classified as a brain disorder. In a large proportion of cases, abnormal activity is present in the brain, resulting in extreme emotional reactions and irritability.
With this in mind, both internal and external factors can cause symptoms of borderline personality disorder. From genetics and abnormal brain functioning and development to emotional trauma and environmental impacts, a large proportion of diagnoses are linked to psychological imbalances.
However, as causations can differ slightly, it is advised that professional medical advice is sourced. Attempting to deal with symptoms of a personality disorder, alone, will be impossible, down to the complex connection to the brain’s functioning.
Symptoms of BPD
When considering borderline personality disorder, there is a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms of borderline personality disorder can range from mild to chronic, impacting all individuals differently. Without appropriate treatment, these symptoms can advance.
Common symptoms of borderline personality disorder include:
- Inappropriate and uncontrollable emotional reactions
- Mood swings
- Impulsive behaviour and decisions
- Unstable relationships
- Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
- Suicidal behaviour
- Paranoia
- Binge eating
- Lack of understanding and empathy
- The inability to consider alternative opinions, commonly seeing the world in black or white
- Fear of rejection
- Higher likelihood of addiction
Some of the above symptoms fall within both personality and mental health disorders. With this in mind, receiving an accurate diagnosis is vital when looking to treat borderline personality disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder and Mental Health Conditions
Living with borderline personality disorder can be extremely challenging. Yet, the greatest concern is the high risk of developing co-occurring mental health conditions. Commonly experienced mental health conditions include addictions, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. In this instance, it is imperative that treatment for a dual diagnosis is sourced, as greater pressure will be placed on the brain.
It is important to remember that although falling under the mental health spectrum, all conditions are different, requiring varying treatment options. Here at Asana Lodge, we will treat each standalone condition, and specialise in dual-diagnosis treatment programmes for borderline personality disorder and substance abuse.
When considering borderline personality disorder and further mental health conditions, it is also vital to consider the risk of a misdiagnosis. This can result in serious implications and lead to inaccurate treatment; sometimes advancing side effects further.
As a result of this, we follow a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure that the correct treatment and mental health services can be provided.
Treating Borderline Personality Disorder and Addiction
As different degrees of borderline personality disorder affect individuals differently, it is vital that personalised treatment plans are offered; something we advocate here at Asana Lodge rehab clinic.
To help form our treatment plans, we will complete an initial evaluation of your brain activity and BPD symptoms and addiction history. We will work to identify the associated mental health conditions you may be experiencing and treat them using a dual diagnosis programme.
Commonly experienced treatment options for BPD include therapy, psychotherapy, natural supplements, exercise and positive coping mechanisms. Mental health services, including medications, may also be required to control additional conditions such as substance abuse.
It’s also important to remember that borderline personality disorder can impact the lives of family members. Psychotherapy sessions will also be recommended to affected loved ones, helping to work through the challenges linked to mental illness.
Through our personalised approach to treatment plans, and our comprehensive evaluation process, we will ensure that sustainable recovery can be set as a long-term goal. Without this approach, diagnosing a personality disorder and completing effective treatment can be very challenging.
To benefit from our mental health services and treatment, reach out to our team today. Sourcing guidance from mental health and addiction specialists is vital when living with a personality disorder. Unfortunately, symptoms will not subsidise by themselves. For your best opportunity to recover and maintain side effects, consider medical advice.
