Borderline Personality Disorder In Teenagers: Symptoms And Treatment Options
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, borderline personality disorder in young people can lead to difficulty managing emotions. Teenagers experiencing BPD may exhibit impulsive behavior, mood swings, rage, and suicidal behavior. BPD can also affect a person’s decision-making abilities, which can lead to problems with boundaries, frequent breakups, unsafe sexual encounters, and substance misuse.
Treatment for borderline personality disorder
Treatment for borderline personality disorder often involves talk therapy, sometimes in combination with medication. One form of therapy that was specifically developed for challenges related to borderline personality disorder is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to help people who experience emotional instability. The dialectical part of DBT typically involves simultaneously accepting challenges with emotional instability while also committing to work toward improvement. Some therapists may use other approaches, such as cognitive analytic therapy or group therapy.
In some cases, people living with borderline personality disorder may be prescribed medication as well, but not usually as a first-line treatment. Medication may help with mood swings, impulsive behavior, or comorbid anxiety or depression.
Seeking mental health support for borderline personality disorder
Early intervention from a professional may help teens learn about their disorder and develop strategies to address their specific symptoms, potentially improving long-term outcomes. One option for receiving treatment is through local mental health professionals who specialize in treating teens and adolescents. Many such counselors list their services online, either on their own website or in online directories. Teens and their parents may be able to filter results based on disorders treated and/or therapeutic modalities used, such as dialectical behavior therapy.
Online support for BPD
Teens who can’t find a local therapist who treats borderline personality disorder might consider exploring an online therapy platform instead, such as TeenCounseling. It allows teens to get matched with a licensed mental health professional from anywhere in the country, which may make it easier to find a provider who has experience treating borderline personality disorder. Teens can then participate in therapy sessions from home via phone call, video call, or live chat. They can also contact their therapist between sessions through in-app messaging, and their therapist will reply as soon as they can. Note as well that it’s possible for parents and caregivers to receive emotional support for the challenges of parenting through a platform for adults like BetterHelp.
Some parents may wonder about the effectiveness of online therapy. In recent years, numerous studies have suggested that online therapy can be effective for treating various mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder. Note that a person doesn’t need to have a diagnosis to potentially benefit from online therapy, however. A licensed therapist may be able to help teens with low self-esteem, difficulty with relationships, and other challenges.
Takeaway
Teens living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may experience emotional instability and impulsivity, which can lead to difficulty with relationships. Treatment typically involves various types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy. Both teens with mental health challenges and their parents or caregivers may benefit from the support of a therapist, which they can receive online or in person.
What is the leading treatment for borderline personality disorder in teenagers?
One of the most common treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT was developed for people who experience emotional instability, which tends to be common in people living with BPD. Therapists may use BPD to help teens accept their difficulty with emotional regulation while also working toward improvement.
What mental health disorders tend to be comorbid with BPD?
BPD can co-occur with several other mental health disorders. For example, people living with BPD may also experience mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or bipolar disorder.
Does BPD get better with age?
Borderline personality disorder can be challenging to treat, but many people experience a reduction in symptoms over time, particularly with treatment. BPD symptoms may improve with treatments like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), sometimes in conjunction with medication.
When does borderline personality disorder normally begin?
Signs of borderline personality disorder typically begin in the late teen years or in early adulthood. That said, clinicians often don’t diagnose BPD until a person reaches the age of 18, given that personality is often still developing in teens. However, they may provide a diagnosis if a teenager’s symptoms last longer than a year and are pervasive.
What are the risk factors for borderline personality disorder?
Researchers believe that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is, in part, hereditary. However, just because someone has a family member living with BPD doesn’t mean they will develop it. Other risk factors may include a history of abuse and other childhood trauma, with anywhere from 30–90% of people with BPD having experienced childhood abuse. Some brain changes may also lead to difficulty with emotional regulation, which is common in people living with BPD.
Can a 14-year-old be diagnosed with BPD?
It is possible for an individual as young as 14 to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, but it’s not common. Most clinicians tend to wait until the individual is 18 to make this diagnosis.
Can a 15-year-old have a personality disorder?
Personality disorders are typically diagnosed in adults with strict diagnostic criteria, though some psychologists may diagnose traits that appear similar to personality disorders as a categorical or temporary diagnosis to be reevaluated in adulthood. For example, adolescent borderline symptoms might be classified under a categorical BPD diagnosis. However, because teens often experience intense emotions and may be at a higher risk for self-destructive behaviors than adults, providers may wait until adulthood to diagnose a psychiatric illness like BPD or other mental health disorders.
How do you deal with a daughter with borderline personality disorder?
If your daughter has a BPD diagnosis or borderline traits, finding support for her may help her learn to regulate her mood and improve her relationships. Adolescent BPD-like symptoms are generally considered treatable with therapy. For example, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective modalities for personality pathology and can help teens build stable relationships and healthy behaviors. Early intervention programs may also reduce one’s risk of future complications and severe mental illness in later life.
Other modalities that may be helpful include cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), internal family systems (IFS), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). Trauma-informed modalities may be helpful for those who experienced childhood abuse, whether it involved physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, or another form of trauma. Environmental risk factors can often incite symptoms. Some doctors may also recommend medication to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms. Co-occurring disorders may also be treated with therapy or medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including eating disorders like bulimia nervosa.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which medication or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. Do not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
How do you discipline a child with borderline personality disorder?
Children experiencing BPD-like symptoms may benefit from compassionate but assertive parenting. Because BPD can cause reassurance-seeking behaviors, parents may work with their child to understand the underlying beliefs behind these urges for reassurance. An accurate diagnosis can also help get a child treatment. If your child is partaking in frequent self-harm or suicidal behaviors, getting treatment is crucial to reduce their risk of suicide or significant bodily harm. Long-term treatment programs may sometimes be considered, though parents may also look at studies on how these programs can impact teens and how parental support and family can be healing in times of distress. Consider attending therapy with your child and being an active member in their support journey instead of labeling, blaming, or accusing them.
What kind of parenting creates BPD?
BPD is not always the result of poor or abusive parenting. However, BPD is frequently diagnosed in those with a history of abuse. As many as 90% of people with BPD experienced childhood trauma or abuse. Emotional neglect may also be a common cause of this condition. Children in foster care or those who were adopted may also be at a higher risk of trauma. Talking to a mental healthcare provider can be crucial for receiving the proper diagnosis. In some cases, BPD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have similar symptoms.
What is the best mood stabilizer for borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is generally not considered to have a single medication that works best in treating it, as it responds best to therapy. However, some providers might prescribe antipsychotics or mood stabilizer medications to reduce mood swings, depression, and psychosis. Every client is different, so talk to your doctor before starting, changing, or stopping your medication.
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