Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that causes people to have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. People with BPD may experience extreme mood swings and unstable relationships with friends and family members.
Let’s take a look at what some of the most common signs of BPD are. If you think you might be struggling with this mood disorder, it is important to talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
Your Moods May Change Rapidly
One of the most common signs of BPD is rapid mood swings. In a matter of minutes, you may go from feeling like everything is going great in your life to feeling sad and hopeless. Moods can change so rapidly that it’s hard to pinpoint when they started changing or why they changed. Your moods may be unpredictable, and you may have trouble controlling them even if you want to.
When your moods change rapidly, it can cause problems in relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. Anyone who is close to you and cares about your well-being will notice that something seems off. It’s also common to feel angry or irritable when your emotions are unstable. This can make you seem a difficult companion during times when things aren’t going well for other people too.
You May Feel Empty And Alone
If you have BPD, you may feel empty and alone. You may believe that nobody cares about you or understands what it’s like to be in your shoes. It might feel like the world is a dark place, with no light in sight. This may lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair about your life and future.
In addition to these feelings, if you have BPD, you may often struggle with intense fears that you are bad or wrong in some way. You may also find yourself constantly doubting your actions and decisions and become very critical of yourself when you make mistakes or fail at something important.
You May Become Irritated Easily or Overreact to Situations
You may become irritated easily. Irritability is a common symptom of BPD, and it can be triggered by any number of things. Your partner might change their hairstyle or have an uncharacteristically late night at work, and you may fly into a rage over it. When you’re angry, think about how to deal with the situation rather than letting it get out of control.
You may have quick and often intense anger responses. Anger can make you feel like you are losing control of yourself or others, which can be very scary. You may also find that you can’t control the way your anger affects other people, especially those closest to you.
It’s not unusual for people with BPD to have difficulty controlling their emotions, even when they try. You can feel stressed out and overwhelmed by the thoughts that are going through your head. You may also feel like you are going crazy or losing control of yourself.
You May Engage in Risky Behaviors
It is common for people with BPD to engage in risky behaviors or activities that could cause physical harm. Examples of such behavior include self-harm, substance abuse, eating disorders, and unsafe sex.
If you have BPD and engage in any of these types of activities, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional as soon as possible. These behaviors can become more frequent over time and may lead to serious health problems or even premature death if left untreated.
It’s important to remember that suicidal thoughts and attempts do not always indicate a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. In fact, about 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts at some point in their life. If you’re experiencing these thoughts, it’s important to reach out for help from others who can talk with you about your options and support you.
Your Self-Image Could Be Unstable
A person with BPD may have an unstable self-image and a sense of emptiness or dissociation. This can cause them to feel like they don’t know who they are, what they want, and how others perceive them. This feeling of being lost can lead to anger and impulsivity.
Fear of Abandonment
If you struggle with BPD, you may experience a fear of abandonment that can lead you to feel like people in your life are going to go away, which can put a strain on your relationships and connections with others.
This fear may cause you to worry that your friends don’t really care about you or value your friendship. You might think that people only want to be around you because they feel sorry for you. You might worry that your partner will cheat on you or leave you for someone else.
If you feel like you are suffering from borderline personality disorder or have a loved one who is, it’s important to seek professional help. Therapy can be extremely helpful in treating this condition and increasing your ability to manage your emotions. It’s also important that those around you help by providing support and encouragement when needed. If someone close to you has BPD, they may need more than just psychological support. They might need medication or other medical treatment as well as therapy sessions with a therapist who has experience treating BPD symptoms such as suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know might be struggling with BPD, reach out to us as soon as possible. Here at Acera Health, we want to make a personalized plan to help you conquer this. Please give us a call at (949) 647-4090.
Melody is a highly skilled proactive clinical administrator, with more than 17 years of experience serving the community in the behavioral health field.
Her clinical management career started in 2011 as a compliance manager and program director. In 2018, she became an executive as chief clinical officer (CCO). She is a seasoned licensed marriage & family therapist.
