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If you struggle to have healthy relationships with other people, reach out to SanCharles Behavioral Healthcare Services LLC, a telehealth-only behavioral health practice based in Addison, Texas. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner Sandra Nwanganga-Anusiem, DNP, PMHNP-BC, diagnoses and treats personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder. Schedule a virtual evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
What is borderline personality disorder?
About 1-2% of the adult population in the United States has borderline personality disorder, a condition affecting the way you feel about yourself and interact with other people. It’s a mental health disorder that makes it difficult to function effectively during everyday activities and in relationships.
If you or a loved one fits into this category, see Sandra at SanCharles Behavioral Healthcare Services LLC for an evaluation and treatment recommendations.
Which symptoms can borderline personality disorder cause?
The following are symptoms of a personality disorder:
- Unstable or intense relationships
- Impulsivity
- Unhealthy way of thinking about yourself
- Extreme emotions
- Acting without thinking first
- Fear of abandonment or being alone
- Anger
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiousness
- Shame
- Emptiness
- Self-injury
- Poor self-image
- Stress-related paranoia
- Loss of contact with reality
- Risky behaviors like gambling, dangerous driving, and spending sprees
While people with borderline personality disorder long for loving and lasting relationships, they tend to push other people away because of their behaviors. Symptoms of the condition often begin in early adulthood.
What are the risk factors for borderline personality disorder?
Things that may increase your risk of borderline personality disorder include:
- Family history of borderline personality disorder
- Brain changes
- Stressful childhood
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Childhood neglect
- Being separated from close caregivers as a child
- Family history of substance misuse
- Family history of other mental health conditions
- Unstable or hostile family relationships
Borderline personality disorder can cause problems with your career, school, or the law and lead to self-harming behaviors. It may contribute to abusive relationships, ongoing stress, divorce, or suicidal ideation.
People with borderline personality disorder might have additional mental health conditions. Examples include depression, substance misuse disorder (SUD), anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?
Diagnosing borderline personality disorder at SanCharles Behavioral Healthcare Services LLC requires a virtual mental health evaluation with Sandra. She uses DSM-5 criteria to discuss your medical history, symptoms, emotions, moods, thoughts, and behaviors. She also reviews your lifestyle habits, treatment preferences, and goals to create an effective treatment plan.
How is borderline personality disorder treated?
Your personalized borderline personality disorder treatment plan may consist of:
- Lifestyle education
- Medication management
- Schema-focused therapy
- Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
- Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS)
- Other forms of psychotherapy
It’s also helpful to stay active, minimize stress, get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, drugs, and alcohol.
Sandra follows up with you routinely for therapy and to ensure your treatment works as designed. She’s available anytime you have concerns or questions.
Schedule a virtual borderline personality disorder evaluation at SanCharles Behavioral Healthcare Services LLC by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.