BORDERLINE PERSONALITY
DISORDER
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
Rachel Upjohn Building
4250 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
www.uofmhealth.org/mental-health
What helps reduce the symptoms of
Borderline Personality Disorder?
There are effective psychotherapies for
BPD which not only address symptoms,
but have the potential to correct the brain
changes associated with the disorder,
including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
This brochure has been made possible by the Sharon Kay What to know about the causes
Falkey Memorial Fund which supports and advances the
(DBT), Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), treatment of borderline personality disorder. and symptoms of Borderline
and Good Psychiatric Management (GPM). Personality Disorder
Although there are no approved medications Executive Officers of Michigan Medicine:
Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President
specifically for BPD, medications can help for Medical Affairs University of Michigan, Dean, U-M Medical
reduce some of the symptoms of BPD and School, CEO, Michigan Medicine; Steven L. Kunkel, Ph.D.,
may be useful tools when used together with Executive Vice Dean for Research; David C Miller, M.D., M.P.H.,
Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs; Debra F. Weinstein, M.D.,
psychotherapy. Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
The Regents of the University of Michigan:
Jordan B. Acker, Michael J. Behm, Mark J. Bernstein,
Paul W. Brown, Sarah Hubbard, Denise Ilitch, Ron Weiser,
Katherine E. White, Mary Sue Coleman (ex officio)
© 2022, Regents of the University of Michigan
What is Borderline Personality Disorder? What other things are important to know
Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is about Borderline Personality Disorder?
a mental health disorder that has several The majority of people with Borderline
main features. Individuals with BPD often Personality Disorder have been diagnosed
have difficulty in managing intense emotions, with another mental illness. That can include
especially when they have stress in their Major Depressive Disorder, a Substance Use
relationships. These are other symptoms Disorder, Eating Disorder, Bipolar Disorder,
that are common in people with BPD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or another
Personality Disorder. Borderline Personality
Disorder is often misdiagnosed, which is
why it is important to inform your treatment
provider if you believe you may have BPD
symptoms. BPD can affect individuals of all
EMPTINESS MOOD SWINGS ABANDONMENT ANGER genders, and usually the symptoms first begin
in adolescence or early adulthood.
What causes Borderline Personality
Disorder? While more research is needed to improve our What should I do if I think I have
understanding of BPD, studies have shown Borderline Personality Disorder?
Similar to many other mental health disorders, that most people with BPD eventually get
there are genetic and environmental factors It is important to report your symptoms and
better. Therefore, there is cause for hope if
that can lead to BPD. Sometimes, individuals concerns to your doctor or a mental health
you are diagnosed with BPD.
with BPD have a history of relatives with that professional, so that you can be given an
or other personality disorders. Environmental appropriate diagnosis and treatment can
factors in the development of BPD may begin. If you are having immediate thoughts
include childhood experience of abuse, of harming yourself or others, you can
neglect, or trauma. Research has shown contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
specific changes in the brain associated by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org,
with BPD that may account for intense mood text HOME to 741741 (crisistextline.org),
episodes and impulsive behaviors. or call 9-1-1.
It is important to learn as much as you can
What problems can Borderline Personality
about the disorder, as having more informa-
Disorder lead to? tion can help. If you are concerned that you
Individuals with BPD can often have or a loved one has BPD, you can access
unstable relationships, problems with steady valuable information by going to www.nimh.
employment, legal issues, self-injurious nih.gov and selecting “Borderline Personality
behaviors, and an increased risk of suicide or Disorder” under ‘Health Topics’ or visit
suicide attempts. www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org.
