Who can I ask for help when I feel like I have borderline personality disorder?

Thank you so much for your question.

Coping with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be very challenging. BPD is characterized by the difficulty in being able to regulate one's emotions. Emotions can be felt more intensely for extended periods of time for people who are diagnosed with this condition. These challenges in healthy mood regulation can lead to impulsivity, poor self-image, conflict in interpersonal relationships, and intense emotional responses to stressors. 

I am going to answer this question from two main perspectives of (1) a person with a confirmed diagnosis from licensed mental health professions and (2) a person without a confirmed diagnosis. I would also encourage you to contact your benefits provider to find out what kind of behavioral health care coverage you have because oftentimes if you have assistance for medical coverage, the benefits plan will account for mental health as well. 

(1) If you have already received a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) from a licensed professional, the next step would be to try to get engaged with treatment services. Psychotherapy has been proven to be very effective in the treatment of BPD as it addresses the emotional dysregulation associated with the disorder.

You can check to see if there are any providers that your insurance may cover that offer Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and/or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

-DBT focuses on teaching coping skills to help fight destructive urges, regulate emotions, improve relationships, and practicing mindfulness.

-CBT focuses on helping to reduce negative thinking and the behaviors associated with BPD by learning effective coping strategies.

Sometimes medication-assisted treatment can be effective with the combination of psychotherapy which usually requires a prescriber.

Some things you can do on your own include:

-Connecting with others through support groups (in-person or online)

-Taking care of your physical health (eating balanced meals, getting adequate rest, stress-relieving activities like meditation or yoga)

-Avoid the use of mood-altering substances like alcohol and drugs as it can exacerbate symptoms of BPD

(2) The first thing a person would benefit from doing if they suspect they have BPD is to get assessed by a licensed mental health professional, preferably one who specializes in personality disorders. It is important to not self-diagnose because these professionals are trained to look for symptomatology and potential causes of these conditions. A licensed professional with be able to help a person navigate the mouse appropriate level of care.

For more free resources please check out these sites below:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/treatment/

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-Personality-Disorder/Overview

https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/consumer-recovery-resources/