Borderline Personality (BPD)

About 1.4% of adults in the United States have borderline personality disorder (BPD), and nearly 75% of people with BPD are women. At Sis Therapy/Already Done LLC, a telehealth psychology practice based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, licensed clinical social worker Paula Williams, LCSW, offers customized mental health treatments that help you overcome BPD concerns. Schedule a telehealth appointment by phone or book a visit online today.

What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions, and unstable relationships. 

Left untreated, BPD can lead to depression and self-destructive behavior patterns. Sis Therapy/Already Done LLC offers highly effective treatments that help you manage troublesome symptoms and thrive in everyday situations.

What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?

BPD can cause the following symptoms:

• Mood swings
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• Unstable relationships
• Uncontrolled and intense emotions
• Impulsive behaviors
• Lack of confidence
• Self-sabatage
• Clinging to other people
• Fear of abandonment
• Reckless behavior patterns
• Social dysfunction
• Negative view of yourself
• Sadness
• Feeling empty
• Intense anger
• Angry outbursts
• Hot temper
• Disconnected thoughts
• Out-of-body feelings
• Substance misuse
• Thoughts of suicide
• Self-harm

Borderline personality disorder affects about 1 in 100 people in the United States. The symptoms experienced may be mild or severe. BPD may increase the risk of relationship challenges, job loss, and even legal issues. 

What are the risk factors for borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder risk factors may include:

• Traumatic childhood experience
• Childhood neglect
• Abuse
• Loss of a caregiver
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Family history of BPD
• Being female

Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and BPD is five times more common in people with a first-degree relative diagnosed with the disorder. 

How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?

Paula meets with you virtually to discuss your symptoms and medical history. She uses DSM-5 criteria to evaluate your thoughts, emotions, moods, behaviors, and lifestyle to learn if you have borderline personality disorder or a similar mental health concern. 

How is borderline personality disorder treated?

Your personalized treatment for BPD may include:

• Medication management
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
• Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
• Schema therapy (ST)
• Pre-adolescent and adolescent therapy
• Group therapy
• Stress management
• Lifestyle education 

Paula helps you make healthy lifestyle changes that can improve your mood, emotions, and behaviors. She follows up for therapy sessions weekly or as needed to help you thrive in relationships, at school, at your job, or during everyday activities.

Schedule a virtual borderline personality disorder (BPD) evaluation or therapy session at Sis Therapy/Already Done LLC by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.