Where to begin treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Hi Rick765! Thank you for reaching out to me. You have posed a difficult a question which contains many variables that cannot be answered simply but I am willing to try to give you the best information that is available to me at this time. You state that you learned that you have Borderline Personality Disorder, and I would like to know how you "learned" this? Was the diagnosis made by a mental health professional who is licensed to perform assessment and diagnosis? If not, I would highly recommend starting with a proper diagnosis. Once a proper diagnosis is made, treatment options can be explored. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is currently the only treatment which is supported by research to be effective in the treatment of BPD. The term “dialectical” means the interaction of conflicting ideas. Within DBT, “dialectical” refers to the integration of both acceptance and change as necessities for improvement. Dialectical behavior therapy aims to address the symptoms of BPD by replacing maladaptive behaviors with healthier coping skills, such as mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. DBT was developed in the early 1990s by Dr. Marsha Lineham based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. DBT uses skills training combined with individual psychotherapy aimed at targeting the common symptoms of BPD, including, unstable sense of self, chaotic relationships, fear of abandonment, emotional lability, and impulsivity, such as self-injurious behavior. Also, since BPD has a high rate of comorbid psychiatric symptoms, two or more conditions existing at the same time, medication is often considered appropriate adjunctive care. In summary, start with a proper assessment and diagnosis from a mental health professional who is licensed to do so, if this has not already been done. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is the current treatment of choice and it is the only treatment for BPD whose effectiveness is supported by research. Better Help has therapists who specialize in the treatment of BPD, as well as most other mental health conditions. I hope that this brief overview of BPD, as well as the current treatment of choice, DBT, is helpful in addressing your questions. I wish you all the best!