We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Borderline Personality Disorder Therapy?

By Marlene Garcia
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,634
Share

Borderline personality disorder therapy commonly uses psychotherapy over a long period of time to help patients cope with daily life. Sometimes medication to control mood swings and suicidal tendencies is prescribed by the psychotherapist until the patient learns to manage his or her emotions. Most borderline personality disorder therapy is focused on teaching the patient tools to control rage and build healthier relationships. One form of therapy delves into the past to help the sufferer understand why he or she reacts inappropriately in certain situations.

Some therapists believe borderline personality disorder therapy is challenging for the doctor and the patient. The disorder often causes the patient to be suspicious of others, and those fears might include the therapist. Patients tend to see people as either friend or foe, and have trouble discerning behavior in a neutral way. Borderline personality disorder therapy is complicated by a patient's inappropriate behavior that sometimes includes anger toward the person trying to help.

At the onset of therapy, the therapist attempts to define goals the patient hopes to reach to improve his or her ability to function. A clear set of written guidelines and expectations often helps the patient and doctor stay on track during borderline personality disorder therapy. Sometimes a contract between the two parties is entered into, with the patient vowing not to attempt suicide, since self-harm is a common symptom of the disorder.

Those suffering from the condition generally exhibit low self-esteem and fear of being abandoned. They tend to over-react emotionally in situations that involve other people. Persistently difficult relationships are one of the major signs that a person needs therapy.

Therapists often teach the patient different ways to handle conflict in place of anger or over-reacting. The doctor helps the patient find non-destructive ways to cope and change behavior viewed as negative. Dealing with frustration is another critical part of borderline personality disorder therapy that is routinely employed. One form of therapy takes the patient back to childhood to explore any internal conflict that might stem from past experiences.

Anti-anxiety medication is sometimes helpful to control suicidal thoughts or self-mutilation tendencies during initial therapy sessions. Some therapists use drugs to keep the patient calm until he or she is able to utilize healthier coping skills learned in therapy. It is estimated that borderline personality disorder therapy takes at least a year because the patient has commonly used inappropriate coping skills for a long time before seeking help.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-borderline-personality-disorder-therapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.