EMOTIONAL DISORDERS

Mental health treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder in Sydney

Everyone has their own distinct personality, which includes strengths as well as weaknesses. Yet some people struggle with personality-related disorders that can make it harder to function comfortably in modern life.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition where a person has difficulties regulating their emotions.

They tend to experience emotions more intensely and frequently than others, and it can take a long time for the intensity of these emotions to decrease to a manageable level. People with this disorder will also often struggle with controlling behaviours that may occur in response to distressing emotions.

For example, impulsivity is a common issue for people with Borderline Personality Disorder and some individuals may turn to dangerous coping strategies to manage emotional distress, such as self-harm. Unfortunately these attempts to alleviate painful emotions can serve to create additional sources of distress. People with Borderline Personality Disorder are also prone to experiencing recurrent thoughts about suicide.

Borderline Personality Disorder can cause people to experience strong feelings of emptiness and confusion about their identity. Part of this confusion stems from the tumultuous and rapidly changing emotional experience of these individuals. Frequent conflict in interpersonal relationships is also common, and instances of perceived rejection or abandonment are often a source of intense emotional distress.

People with BPD will exhibit the following symptoms:

• An unstable sense of self

• Feelings of shame and inner emptiness

• Efforts to avoid real or perceived abandonment

• A pattern of unstable personal relationships

• A tendency to idealise some people and denigrate others

• Self-harming behaviours

• Impulsivity

• Intense, severe mood swings

• Irrational anger

• Problems trusting others or irrational fear of other people

• Dissociation or feelings of unreality, particularly during stressful events

Because of the intensity of mood swings, many of these behaviours can also cause someone to cycle into negative emotions, leading to further distress.

Borderline Personality Disorder is often associated with complex trauma and many of the features of these conditions are overlapping.

How common is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality Disorder affects approximately 1-4% of the population of Australia. It is not uncommon for people with this disorder to experience co-occurring mental health issues, for example mood disorders or substance use disorders. Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder typically begin in early adulthood.

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Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

Personality disorders require an in-depth, personalised treatment that integrates multiple approaches to help those with BPD regulate their emotions and display more functional behaviours.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT typically involves both group and individual therapy sessions. This type of therapy focuses on assisting individuals to develop skills in the areas of Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Mindfulness.

Gordon Private Hospital uses the treatments and techniques that are best supported by data. We believe in utilising only the most successful interventions to improve your relationships and give you a better quality of life. Please contact our Admission Team for further information.