Five Tips to manage BPD
Not many therapists are comfortable with supporting folks with Borderline. When we ask our colleagues about this, we hear things like ‘BPD clients need more help than we can provide’ ‘ BPD clients are highly dysregulated’ ‘ BPD clients need psychiatric help more than the help of a psychotherapist.’ or sometimes clinicians don’t have additional training, space on their caseload or desire/interest in supporting this population. Hope you don’t mind us being candid here. The thing is that many folks with BPD are successful or are very functional. A Diagnosis should not define who we are. Our mental health clinic has had a fair share of BPD clients and many of our team members provide DBT support but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for therapy out of pocket or have extended health benefits. We do offer low cost counselling where our student counsellors being supported by senior clinicians. If you want to be included in our DBT skills group then please contact us and we can keep you informed.
Back to the basics, you may or may not be aware that BPD treatment was designed by Marsha Linehan, an american psychologist who herself felt challenged by Borderline diagnosis. It is a mental illness that severely impacts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Many times these clients can have a flat affect or might be overly smiley. They tend to see things as black and white and lack cognitive flexibility (although this can be developed through practice). Suicidal ideation can be high in many cases. This loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect how a person feels about themselves, and negatively impact their relationships with others. Manytimes, it is heart breaking to see these struggles. Trauma/stress can be the underlying cause behind how someone’s predisposition comes to the surface. Clinicians agree that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by unstable moods, relationships, and behavior.
Here are some strategies that may be helpful in managing BPD:
Please seek support and treatment - It's important to work with a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, to develop a treatment plan that's right for you. Treatment options for BPD may include medications, such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers, as well as therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Practice extra self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is important for managing BPD. Do you know what are your soothing mechanisms? Have your sensory tool kit ready for when you feel overwhelmed and have a plan to tap into your personal and professional resources to deal with dysregulation of the nervous system. This could include activities like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and participating in activities that bring you joy.
Learn to manage your emotions: Mindfulness techniques and Wise mind exercises can be useful in helping you regulate your state or support a loved one who has borderline challenges. This requires practice, patience, consistency and a plan. Create your personal support plan to express your emotions in a healthy way.
Social engagement and building a support system: Many times mental illnesses are misunderstood or there is a huge stigma around them. Having a strong support system can be useful. So avoid people who are judgemental or toxic. Connect with friends, helpful family members, or a support group for individuals with BPD.
Stay on track with treatment: As we mentioned earlier, consistency is really important to manage this beast of a challenge. As much as possible, stick with your treatment plan, adaptive coping mechanisms, practice mindfulness techniques and have a saftey plan. Be honest to your self and make your wellbeing a prioirty when that includes taking medications as prescribed and/or attending therapy sessions.
Managing BPD is an ongoing process that may require long term treatment and continuous support. Give yourself gift of patience, knowledge and remember that it's possible to live a fulfilling life with BPD with the right support and treatment. You can do this and we are cheering you on , on this journey.
