Mental Health America
A national community-based network that helps people live mentally healthier lives by advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy and by delivering programs and services.
Borderline Personality Disorder
A pattern of ongoing instability in moods, behaviors and relationships
Borderline personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder that makes it difficult for you to regulate your emotions. It can give you an unstable sense of self that interferes with your relationships and your mood.
You are likely to have chaotic relationships because your feelings toward friends and family may change suddenly and often. Behavioral Health Professionals at IU Health can help.
Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
It is estimated that there are more than 14 million American adults with borderline personality disorder.
Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder constantly influences your perception of and reaction to the environment around you. Symptoms include the following:
- Intense mood swings
- Fears of abandonment
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty dealing with anger or rage
- Self-damaging, impulsive behavior (excessive shopping or gambling, eating disorders, drug abuse)
- Self-injury, such as hair pulling or cutting
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Paranoia
- Breaks in the mind-body connection
Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
It is estimated that there are more than 14 million American adults with borderline personality disorder.
Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder constantly influences your perception of and reaction to the environment around you. Symptoms include the following:
- Intense mood swings
- Fears of abandonment
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty dealing with anger or rage
- Self-damaging, impulsive behavior (excessive shopping or gambling, eating disorders, drug abuse)
- Self-injury, such as hair pulling or cutting
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Paranoia
- Breaks in the mind-body connection
Diagnosis
Borderline personality disorder is difficult to diagnose. Mental health professionals often mistake it for other conditions that include symptoms of anxiety and depression.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 85 percent of people with borderline personality disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for another mental disorder.
Diagnosis
Borderline personality disorder is difficult to diagnose. Mental health professionals often mistake it for other conditions that include symptoms of anxiety and depression.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 85 percent of people with borderline personality disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for another mental disorder.
Treatment
Our behavioral health team understands how stressful your symptoms can be. Our commitment to your individual needs enables us to treat your condition with the most advanced knowledge and care.
When you have a dedicated team who will take time to listen, understand who you are, and treat you with empathy and respect, your symptoms can decrease significantly. Our team offers one of the few treatment programs in the state for borderline personality disorder. We are highly trained to recognize and diagnose the disorder, which is the first step toward your recovery.
Our behavioral health team knows that when you have borderline personality disorder, you may resist treatment. Even though you have the tools to be healthy, you may fall back into destructive behaviors. Our team can help you navigate these challenges.
Your treatment starts with building a relationship of trust. Your physician shares details about his or her background, education and experience. You share information about yourself and your symptoms. At the end of your first visit, you will know what to expect. Your physician will arm you with information about available services and work with you to create a plan to address your specific symptoms.
IU Health Behavioral Health physicians and counselors will likely use a combination of psychotherapy and medications to help you manage your condition.
Treatment
Our behavioral health team understands how stressful your symptoms can be. Our commitment to your individual needs enables us to treat your condition with the most advanced knowledge and care.
When you have a dedicated team who will take time to listen, understand who you are, and treat you with empathy and respect, your symptoms can decrease significantly. Our team offers one of the few treatment programs in the state for borderline personality disorder. We are highly trained to recognize and diagnose the disorder, which is the first step toward your recovery.
Our behavioral health team knows that when you have borderline personality disorder, you may resist treatment. Even though you have the tools to be healthy, you may fall back into destructive behaviors. Our team can help you navigate these challenges.
Your treatment starts with building a relationship of trust. Your physician shares details about his or her background, education and experience. You share information about yourself and your symptoms. At the end of your first visit, you will know what to expect. Your physician will arm you with information about available services and work with you to create a plan to address your specific symptoms.
IU Health Behavioral Health physicians and counselors will likely use a combination of psychotherapy and medications to help you manage your condition.
Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This is a large national grassroots mental health organization. The website offers extensive information about treatments, support and research for borderline personality disorder and other mental conditions.
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
A nonprofit group that works to support families and people in recovery, promote research and raise public awareness about borderline personality disorder.
National Institutes of Mental Health
A scientific organization dedicated to the research and understanding of bipolar personality disorder and all mental disorder.
Resources
Mental Health America
A national community-based network that helps people live mentally healthier lives by advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy and by delivering programs and services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This is a large national grassroots mental health organization. The website offers extensive information about treatments, support and research for borderline personality disorder and other mental conditions.
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
A nonprofit group that works to support families and people in recovery, promote research and raise public awareness about borderline personality disorder.
National Institutes of Mental Health
A scientific organization dedicated to the research and understanding of bipolar personality disorder and all mental disorder.