Many do not fully comprehend or appreciate Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This lack of understanding makes BPD much more challenging to cope with for the people who have it and for their loved ones as well. All individuals (both male and female) who are suffering from extreme emotion, relationship issues, or a high level of fear of emotional abandonment must be treated appropriately with the correct type of support, empathy, and structure. Unfortunately, most people do not understand how treatable BPD truly is if they have the right level of support, empathy, and structure. At MindVibe, we witness how consistent, individualized BPD treatment can transform an individual’s life. Proper treatment provides people with the tools needed to cope with their emotions healthily, build healthier connections with those they love, and develop better coping strategies so they can progress in their healing journey. This is why selecting the appropriate BPD treatment at the outset will lead to the most significant lasting benefit.
Are Men and Women Affected by BPD Differently?
The direct answer to this question is both yes and no. The underlying causes of BPD (disruptions in a person’s ability to manage emotions, react to life events, and create and maintain relationships) are the same for both genders; however, how the disturbed emotional functioning of an individual with BPD manifests could be different due to societal expectations and how individuals are taught to show their emotions, depending on one’s gender.
Women and BPD
Because of the greater tendency of women to seek BPD treatment and more openly display their feelings than men, they are diagnosed with BPD more often than men. The most common problems associated with women who have BPD are:
- Increased sensitivity to emotional stimuli
- Fear of losing loved ones
- Creating highly chaotic and erratically intense emotions in relationships.
- Experiencing a dissociative state when under stress.
Men and BPD
Because of stereotypes related to men, up to 50% of men with BPD may be misdiagnosed. Instead of exhibiting an excessive emotional sensitivity as women do, most men who suffer from BPD present as follows:
- Exclusion of emotional display and the tendency to express their anger explosively, in contrast to their calm demeanor
- Use a high degree of impulsivity and risky behavior
- Experiencing great shame or inner turmoil
- Resist discussing emotions.
As described previously, men are most likely to be labeled with having anger issues, major depression, or substance abuse problems, while BPD could be the real underlying issue. Both genders, through BPD treatment, receive assessment and treatment options designed to assist them in becoming emotionally stable.
What Are The Reasons For BPD?
BPD has no single cause; many factors contribute to its development. MindVibe is a safe space where people can explore their patterns without judgment and learn how to understand their emotions.
Childhood Trauma/Unstable Environment
Many People with BPD report being emotionally neglected or experiencing chaotic, inconsistent relationships and early loss. Emotional instability during childhood is a common trend among those developing BPD.
Genetics
BPD can run in families. Some families exhibit the same patterns over generations of emotional issues, such as difficulty in managing stress.
Brain Chemistry
BPD individuals tend to process their emotions more acutely due to their biological makeup.
Personality Traits
Some individuals tend to feel things more intensely than others, and their stress response is much stronger. These attributes make these individuals more susceptible to developing BPD.
Locating Services that Treat BPD in My Area
When you start searching for a steady place to land during your recovery, it is normal to go online and search for Mental Health Clinic Near Me. This can be a very overwhelming experience for both you and those who care about you. BPD can leave you feeling confused, disordered, and exhausted. The support you receive can make all the difference in the success of your recovery journey.
At Mind Vibe, we believe that there is no reason that anyone should have to go through this process alone. We provide individuals with personalized treatment plans, therapy, and psychiatric support so that they can build an empowered connection with themselves and feel more grounded and stable in the emotional tumult of their lives.
What Are Key Elements of Effective Treatment for BPD?
No Single Treatment Will Work For Everyone, But Certain Treatments Are More Effective Than Others. At MindVibe, we provide our clients with safe, nurturing, and accepting environments to process their emotional states without fear of judgment.
1.) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
One of the most successful BPD treatments is the dialectical behavioural therapy approach. DBT assists in developing the following skills:
- Emotional Regulation
- Reduced Impulsivity
- Healthy Relationships
- Grounding Techniques Used During Emotional Turbulence
2.) Medications (If Needed)
Although there is no medication used exclusively to treat BPD, various forms of medications may help alleviate some symptoms associated with BPD, including stabilizers and antidepressants. MindVibe helps its clients by having a Psychiatric BPD specialist to evaluate their needs and determine whether medication would be beneficial.
3.) Trauma-Informed Therapy
Most individuals diagnosed with BPD have experienced some form of emotional trauma. Taking time to heal from that trauma allows individuals to begin developing additional tools for stability and growth.
4.) Skills Training
Individualised skill development equips clients with tools to safely cope with intense emotions, including distress tolerance and mindfulness strategies.
5.) Supportive Environment
Having a strong relationship between an individual and their therapist is critical to the healing process.
Women and Men Can Gain From the Treatment of BPD
Even though the signs of BPD for men and women are different, both genders will benefit from the structure of treatment services.
Some of the improvements women find in treatment include:
- Understanding what triggers their emotions,
- Healing their attachments,
- Establishing a consistent sense of trust and creating healthy relationships, and
- Reducing the time they feel overwhelmed by their emotions.
Men tend to see the following improvements in treatment:
- Learning to control their anger in healthier ways,
- Learning to identify how early experiences shaped the way that they react emotionally,
- Being able to express vulnerability without fear of rejection or abandonment, and
- Reductions in impulsive/risky behaviours.
The path and experience for each individual will vary; however, the overall goal for both genders is to achieve emotional stability and a more complete, satisfying life.
Conclusion
Learning about BPD is the first step toward healing, whether the person you want to help is a friend, loved one, or yourself. You don’t have to do this alone; MindVibe will support you throughout your journey. Suppose you are looking for an experienced specialist. In that case, our psychiatric team is available to provide the highest quality of care through our Mental Health Clinic in Austin, which offers both structured and compassionate care models that can help each of our patients achieve their goals. No matter where you are in your process, we want to help you attain stability, clarity of thought, and emotional well-being.
For a deeper understanding of how BPD symptoms change across life stages, you may also explore our related article: Borderline Personality Disorder at Different Ages: Why Your 20s Look Different From Your 40s.
FAQs
Can BPD be treated?
Yes. Individuals diagnosed with BPD will, with the help of structured therapy and ongoing care, experience a significant improvement.
Are the symptoms of BPD the same for Both Men and Women?
Sometimes. Typically, when men are diagnosed with BPD, their presentation will be more impulsive and/or angry than that of women who are diagnosed with BPD, who typically display their diagnosis by emotional sensitivity or instability.
What type of therapy has the highest success rate for treating BPD?
DBT has proven most successful for the treatment of BPD and helps people manage their emotions and relationships.
Is medication helpful for individuals with BPD?
Currently, there is no medication specifically for the treatment of BPD; however, psychiatrists may prescribe a variety of medications to assist in managing any symptoms.
Does MindVibe provide in-person or virtual support to those who have BPD?
MindVibe provides all patients with highly personalized, flexible care through both in-person and online services tailored to each individual’s needs.
