Adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness defined by a long-term pattern of strong emotional reactions, the inability to maintain relationships, and a lack of a stable sense of self. BPD can be highly disruptive to everyday life as teens with BPD find it difficult to process their emotions and connect with their peers.
As a concerned parent, here are the most common symptoms to look out for:
- A distorted self-image and the inability to connect with others.
- Overwhelming feelings of depression/anxiety and a history of self-harm/suicidal behavior.
- Engaging in impulsive and risky behavior in a self-destructive pattern as a coping mechanism.
- Extreme emotional reactions and unpredictable mood changes.
Due to these symptoms, depression is common in teens with a borderline personality disorder. However, borderline personality therapy is highly effective in minimizing the risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior. Considering that BPD affects an estimated 3.5 million people in the U.S. alone, therapy is the most ideal treatment.
As a parent, you can expect your teen to receive treatment through cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, or schema-focused therapy, depending on your teen’s diagnosis. Unlike bipolar disorder therapy, treatment for BPD is designed specifically to treat the disorder and utilizes a skills-based approach to help teens better manage their emotions and cope with stressful situations to help improve their emotions and gain self-understanding.
In addition to seeking treatment, express your support by spending time with them. Maintain open communication with your teen and their mental health care team to extend the benefits of therapy at home.
Teen Depression is a trusted provider of depression treatment and teen therapy. Visit us today to learn more about Asperger’s syndrome therapy, teen anxiety, addiction treatment, and more.
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