Self-Care
To live a life that is manageable, with minimum chaos, the person struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) must choose to do anything possible to take care of herself. Importance should be placed in eating healthy, sleeping enough and on a regular schedule, exercising and taking care of personal hygiene. This is basic but often gets lost in the daily difficulties of BPD.
Support
The individual who suffers from BPD can be much more successful in combating this illness if she chooses to surround herself with supportive people. These people must be able to set limits yet consistently affirm the individual. They must be willing to be available within their limits, since fear of abandonment is a driving force in BPD.
Seek Professional Intervention
Professional intervention in the form of therapists, case managers and/or psychiatrists is a vital part of treating BPD. Most persons challenged with this disorder also have mood difficulties, which can be greatly helped through medication. They also struggle with emotion regulation, which can be dealt with through learning thinking skills. A very effective treatment is called dialectical behavioral therapy and is offered in most mental health centers and therapy offices.
Clarifications and Warnings
BPD is a personality disorder. These disorders tend to be lifelong and pervasive. Therefore, recovery is not necessarily the same as curing. Recovery involves learning to manage the symptoms so that they do not impede daily functioning.
Tags: Borderline Personality, Borderline Personality Disorder, Personality Disorder