What is BPD?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that affects how you feel about yourself and others, leading to intense emotions, impulsive actions, and a deep fear of abandonment. BPD affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK, with women more commonly diagnosed. Often, symptoms begin in early adulthood and can include challenges like self-harm and substance misuse.
BPD is characterised by emotional instability, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and impulsive behaviours. These intense emotional experiences can make everyday life feel overwhelming. However, with the right support and treatment, people with BPD can manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
Women are 3x as likely to be diagnosed than men
Around 1 in 100 people live with BPD
Up to 85% of individuals with BPD have at least one additional mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety
50-60% of individuals with BPD showing significant improvement with appropriate therapy
Exploring the Causes of BPD
BPD often arises from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Here are some key contributors:
- Genetic Factors: If mental health conditions run in your family, you may be more vulnerable to developing BPD. Genetics can play a significant role in how emotions and behaviours are regulated.
- Childhood Trauma: Experiences like neglect, abuse, or growing up in an unstable environment can contribute to the development of BPD. Early trauma often influences how you process emotions and relate to others later in life.
- Brain Chemistry: Research suggests that people with BPD may have abnormalities in brain areas that control mood and impulses. This can make it harder to regulate emotions.
Understanding these causes is the first step towards managing BPD. With the right support, you can develop coping strategies that help reduce the impact of these factors on your daily life.
What are the symptoms and effects of BPD?
Recognising the Symptoms and Impact of BPD
BPD can significantly affect your emotional well-being and daily life. Some common symptoms include:
- Emotional Instability: You may experience rapid mood swings, going from intense happiness to deep sadness in a short time.
- Fear of Abandonment: A constant fear of being left or rejected can lead to clingy behaviours or pushing people away before they have the chance to leave.
- Impulsive Behaviours: These can include binge eating, reckless driving, or substance misuse, all of which can have immediate and long-term consequences.
- Relationship Difficulties: Relationships may feel turbulent, with swings between idealising others and then feeling deeply disappointed by them.
Living with BPD can be challenging, both for you and those around you. It often affects friendships, family relationships, and work, leading to feelings of isolation and confusion. However, recognising these patterns can be the first step towards seeking help and improving your relationships and emotional stability.
How can it be managed?
If you think you might have BPD, seeking help from your GP is an important first step. BPD is highly treatable with the right combination of therapies and support.
- Therapy: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are two of the most effective approaches for managing BPD. These therapies help you understand and manage your emotions, build healthier relationships, and reduce impulsive behaviours.
- Support Systems: A strong network of supportive friends, family, and professionals can make a big difference. Talking therapies, including hypnotherapy, can also be valuable in helping you manage symptoms.
- Medication: Although there isn’t a specific medication for BPD, medication may be prescribed to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
- Self-Care: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of sleep can help stabilise your mood. Practising mindfulness or relaxation techniques, like journaling or meditation, can also be beneficial in managing stress.
With perseverance and the right support, living with BPD becomes more manageable. It’s important to remember that recovery is a journey, and with time, you can build a life filled with more stability, healthier relationships, and greater emotional well-being.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Solution-focused hypnotherapy (SFH) offers a forward-thinking approach to managing the symptoms of BPD. Instead of dwelling on past traumas, SFH focuses on your present and future, helping you envision a more positive life. Through deep relaxation and guided visualisations, hypnotherapy helps calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional balance.
- Reducing Emotional Intensity: Hypnotherapy can help you manage the intense emotions often associated with BPD. By entering a relaxed state, you can explore positive coping strategies that support emotional regulation.
- Building Confidence: Regular sessions with a hypnotherapist can help you develop the tools to navigate daily challenges with more confidence and resilience, whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or relationship difficulties.
- Long-Term Success: Hypnotherapy is most effective when used as part of a broader treatment plan, often requiring several sessions to achieve lasting results. This therapy encourages a proactive approach to healing, focusing on your strengths and the future you want to build.
SFH provides a compassionate and supportive way to address the emotional and psychological challenges of BPD, offering hope and resilience as you work towards long-term well-being.
Our Borderline Personality Disorder Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
