Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
We’ve all had days where it feels like we’re on an emotional rollercoaster — we might be moody or quick to anger one minute and feel fine the next, only to have something happen that sets us off again. Or we might be unsure of who we are in certain roles or what we want out of life, but eventually, the feeling passes and the clouds clear.
Those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), however, feel this way all of the time. Volatile emotions and mood swings are a part of daily life, along with a blurred self-identity and chaotic, unstable relationships. This can lead to erratic or impulsive behavior that pushes others away and interferes with normal functioning, but it is possible to escape from this painful cycle with professional help.
At Avalon Malibu, we provide comprehensive treatment options for those suffering from mental health disorders like BPD. We know that borderline personality disorder is a serious mental illness that can negatively impact every facet of daily life, and our goal is to help clients manage their emotions in a healthier way and break the pattern of dysfunctional thoughts, feelings and behaviors. If you or someone you know is struggling with borderline personality disorder, it’s never too late to develop the coping skills needed to achieve lasting recovery.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness characterized by significant emotional instability that can lead to a variety of relationship and behavioral problems. Those with this personality disorder have a severely distorted, wavering self-image and believe they are fundamentally flawed, often experiencing frequent mood swings and feelings of worthlessness, anger or anxiety. Borderline personality disorder is often compared to an emotional seesaw, with unstable moods that can change in an instant and result in destructive or impulsive behavior that makes it difficult to maintain stable relationships. And despite an intense fear of abandonment, those with BPD tend to alienate their loved ones with volatile or manipulative behavior.
This disorder is more prevalent in women than men, and research shows that it affects about 2 percent of the general population. For most people, it appears by early adulthood, but erratic patterns of interacting with others have usually persisted for years before diagnosis. Symptoms may decrease in intensity with age, but treatment is often required to help those with BPD get on the path to wellness.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Researchers do not know what causes BPD, although genetic, social and psychological factors likely play a role. The symptoms, too, are complex and varied but tend to be rooted in intense emotions, frequent mood swings and an uncertain sense of self that interferes with daily life. Fears of abandonment, separation and rejection are also prevalent, triggering changes in thinking or behavior that make it hard to maintain healthy, stable relationships. If you notice the following signs in yourself or a loved one, it may indicate borderline personality disorder and the need for professional help:
- Unstable sense of self (Identity Disturbance)
- Pattern of intense and unstable relationships that alternate between love and hate (Idealization and devaluation)
- Attempts to avoid abandonment or rejection (real or imagined)
- Impulsive, reckless and reactionary behaviors (promiscuity, substance abuse, binge eating, etc.)
- Intense or inappropriate emotions and frequent mood swings
- chronic feeling of emptiness
- difficulty controlling anger or hostility
- Stress-related paranoid thoughts
- Recurrent suicidal behavior or self-injury
Those with borderline personality disorder are also emotionally sensitive and deeply affected by criticism or perceived personal slights, often becoming defensive or shutting down in response. They also have trouble coping with change and may be more prone to substance abuse, self-harm, suicidal tendencies or co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression — these are just a few of the reasons why seeking proper treatment for BPD is so crucial.
Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment at Avalon Malibu
At Avalon Malibu, borderline personality disorders are treated at the Grand House, a residential treatment facility that provides a supportive, home-like environment where men and women can regain their mental wellness and achieve lasting recovery. By providing a therapeutic alternative to traditional hospital settings, the Grand House allows clients to feel at ease and comfortable while healing from mental illness. Our soothing atmosphere, picturesque gardens and beautiful ocean views inspire a sense of tranquil serenity that enhances the journey to recovery, ensuring the ideal conditions for BPD treatment and giving each client the best chance at restoring their health and wellness.
The Grand House also features personalized treatment plans and an innovative, modern approach to mental health care that meets each client’s individual needs. Our therapeutic modalities include both traditional and holistic techniques designed to help clients develop new coping skills, establish healthy habits and gain new insights into their thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Some of the specialized methods we use to restore a more balanced mindset include:
- Psychiatric assessments
- Individual and group counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Experiential therapies
- Somatic therapy
- Family therapy
- Mindfulness practices
- Psychodrama
- Neurofeedback
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Nutritional support
- Medication management
Our comprehensive approach to mental health care also includes pharmacogenetic and neuropsychological testing and support for co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression or substance abuse. We know that our clients’ mental, physical and emotional health are all connected, and the path to true recovery means treating the whole person, rather than just their symptoms. That’s why we provide holistic care that goes above and beyond to meet each client’s specific needs and give them the tools, support and guidance they need to achieve a happier, healthier life.
Contact Avalon Malibu
At Avalon Malibu, we’re committed to helping each client find their way back to health and happiness. Our area of expertise is working with individuals who have experienced a loss of meaning and purpose in their lives, and know that those with borderline personality disorder can spiral down deeply into anxiety or depression if left untreated. But at the Grand House, a new experience of introspection awaits. Located in Malibu, California, the blue Pacific Ocean provides an elegant backdrop to our luxury residential treatment facility, which provides hospitality and mental health care of the highest order.
If you or someone you know has borderline personality disorder and needs help balancing their emotions, don’t hesitate to contact or call us today at 866-332-1068 to learn more about our treatment programs.
