{"id":11817,"date":"2020-12-17T11:54:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-17T16:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?p=11817"},"modified":"2021-12-12T21:27:40","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T02:27:40","slug":"borderline-personality-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"A Psychiatrist&#8217;s Guide To Borderline Personality Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#Whats_this_about_BPD\" title=\"What&#8217;s this about BPD?\">What&#8217;s this about BPD?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#How_Is_Borderline_Personality_Disorder_Diagnosed\" title=\"How Is Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosed?\">How Is Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosed?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#1_Intense_mood_swings_and_sensitivity_to_rejection\" title=\"1. Intense mood swings and sensitivity to rejection.\">1. Intense mood swings and sensitivity to rejection.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#2_Distorted_ego_and_troubled_friendships\" title=\"2. Distorted ego and troubled friendships.\">2. Distorted ego and troubled friendships.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#3_Black_and_white_thinking_%E2%80%9Cplaying_games%E2%80%9D_and_splitting\" title=\"3. Black and white thinking, &#8220;playing games,&#8221; and splitting.\">3. Black and white thinking, &#8220;playing games,&#8221; and splitting.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#4_Impulsivity_agitation_and_violence_towards_selfothers\" title=\"4. Impulsivity, agitation, and violence towards self\/others.\">4. Impulsivity, agitation, and violence towards self\/others.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#5_Other_characteristics\" title=\"5. Other characteristics.\">5. Other characteristics.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#Whats_normal_about_BPD_and_what_isnt\" title=\"What\u2019s normal about BPD (and what isn\u2019t)?\">What\u2019s normal about BPD (and what isn\u2019t)?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#What_causes_Borderline_Personality_Disorder\" title=\"What causes Borderline Personality Disorder?\">What causes Borderline Personality Disorder?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#What_kind_of_therapy_is_best_for_borderline_personality_disorder\" title=\"What kind of therapy is best for borderline personality disorder?\">What kind of therapy is best for borderline personality disorder?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#Are_medications_helpful\" title=\"Are medications helpful?\">Are medications helpful?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#What_do_I_do_if_I_think_I_have_BPD\" title=\"What do I do if I think I have BPD?\">What do I do if I think I have BPD?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/borderline-personality-disorder\/#References\" title=\"References\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tend to spark intense positive or negative emotions in those around them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When someone with BPD likes you, you&#8217;re on top of the world.&nbsp; When you&#8217;re on their bad side, you feel as though the whole universe has turned against you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;People with BPD are like [patients] with third-degree burns over 90% of their bodies.&nbsp; Lacking emotional skin, they feel agony at the slightest touch or movement.&#8221; <\/span><\/p><cite><em> &#8212; Dr. Marsha Linehan<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Psychiatrist's Guide To Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-35910 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Psychiatrist's Guide To Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-35910 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1-83x125.jpg 83w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/51-1-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption><strong>A Psychiatrist&#8217;s Guide To<\/strong><br><strong>Borderline Personality Disorder<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_this_about_BPD\"><\/span>What&#8217;s this about BPD?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd4.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-11820 lazyload\" width=\"304\" height=\"363\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd4.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-11820 lazyload\" width=\"304\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd4.jpg 607w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd4-151x180.jpg 151w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The person with Borderline Personality Disorder suffers, and they suffer profoundly.&nbsp; Imagine loving your spouse one moment, hating them the next, then loving them again a few hours later &#8212; and not knowing why.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">magine having to push others away before they abandon you.&nbsp; Sometimes abandonment is so frightening that alienating people you love seems the safest way to survive.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How about living in a world where everyone feels a need to &#8220;set limits&#8221; with you?&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People talk about you, \u201cyeah, she\u2019s borderline,\u201d and you see that same look on everyone\u2019s face. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They judge you before they meet you.&nbsp; You describe the situation to people you call friends, and they have no sympathy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhy are you so nasty?\u201d they say. \u201cIt\u2019s your fault people treat you like that.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd3.png\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-11821 lazyload\" width=\"384\" height=\"365\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd3.png\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder\" class=\"wp-image-11821 lazyload\" width=\"384\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd3.png 512w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd3-189x180.png 189w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Borderline_Personality_Disorder_Diagnosed\"><\/span>How Is Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BPD is a psychiatric diagnosis marked by intense mood swings, problems with identity, difficulty tolerating stress, i<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/signs-of-an-emotionally-abusive-relationship\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">nsecure relationships<\/a>, and a tendency toward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting-self-harm\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">hurting oneself<\/a>.&nbsp; Symptoms include the following<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Intense_mood_swings_and_sensitivity_to_rejection\"><\/span>1. Intense mood swings and sensitivity to rejection.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>People with <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borderline Personality Disorder <\/span>tend to have extreme mood swings, going from happy to suicidal to angry and back to happy in a matter of hours.&nbsp; Mood is very reactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not done purposefully.&nbsp; The emotions themselves are out of whack.&nbsp; The trigger can be anything\u2026 a thought, memory, or something in the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes the emotional effect is a good one.&nbsp; Tiny bits of sun bring ecstasy.&nbsp; A hug makes the world fit perfectly.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But faced with a negative trigger, either real or perceived, the person with BPD feels their world buckle underneath them.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This negative emotion is unbearable, and it seeps into everything.&nbsp; It takes over.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadness or shame or rage affects thinking.&nbsp; They take over identity.&nbsp; Personality itself sways with each change in mood.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Distorted_ego_and_troubled_friendships\"><\/span>2. Distorted ego and troubled friendships.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BPD sufferers struggle with an unstable self-image.&nbsp; Their identity is entirely dependent on their relationship with others.&nbsp; They can&#8217;t tolerate being alone. As mentioned, they\u2019ll go to great lengths to avoid abandonment.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with social support, some people with BPD tend to oscillate between self-loathing and blaming others for their problems.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This causes help-rejecting behaviors and a complicated cycle of pushing people away when desperate for company. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/relationships\/\" title=\"Relationships\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Relationships<\/a> are usually intense.&nbsp; They\u2019re short-lived, chaotic, and problematic.&nbsp; The borderline&#8217;s reactivity triggers reactivity in others, worsening the cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd2.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder black and white thinking\" class=\"wp-image-11822 lazyload\" width=\"315\" height=\"384\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd2.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder black and white thinking\" class=\"wp-image-11822 lazyload\" width=\"315\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd2.jpg 420w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd2-148x180.jpg 148w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Black_and_white_thinking_%E2%80%9Cplaying_games%E2%80%9D_and_splitting\"><\/span>3. Black and white thinking, &#8220;playing games,&#8221; and splitting.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BPD sufferers see things as <i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/a-therapists-guide-to-cognitive-distortions\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">all good or all bad<\/a><\/i>, with little in between.&nbsp; This tendency to separate life into two categories often splits the environment, including the people around them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The individual with Borderline Personality Disorder consciously or unconsciously uses this \u201csplit\u201d to get their needs met; they play people against one another.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><em>Here\u2019s an example.<\/em><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>Imagine George has BPD.&nbsp; He likes Jane and dislikes Jack.&nbsp; To split Jane and Jack, George exaggerates Jane\u2019s good qualities.&nbsp; He gains her confidence and sympathy.&nbsp; Soon Jane will do anything to defend him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>Meanwhile, George assigns negative qualities to Jack.&nbsp; He talks to everyone about the \u201cbad things Jack does.\u201d Now Jack already distrusts George, and George\u2019s behavior only upsets him further.&nbsp; Like Jane with her exaggerated kindness, Jack develops exaggerated hostility.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>What\u2019s George\u2019s purpose?&nbsp; Jill\u2019s sympathy grows at the sight of Jack\u2019s hostility.&nbsp; She comes running to George\u2019s defense whenever he needs it.&nbsp; The more Jack complains, \u201cCan\u2019t you see how manipulative he is?\u201d the more Jill counters, \u201cCan\u2019t you see you\u2019re causing it?\u201d&nbsp; <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>In the end, George sits back while everyone argues. He has won himself an advocate and displaced his own chaos onto others.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of these behaviors, providers and families tend to respond by setting harsh &#8220;limits&#8221; on the sick person.&nbsp; These limits can wax on punishment if the situation gets bad enough.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Impulsivity_agitation_and_violence_towards_selfothers\"><\/span>4. Impulsivity, agitation, and violence towards self\/others.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with BPD <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting-self-harm\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">injure themselves<\/a>.&nbsp; They cut. They burn. Some hurt themselves out of boredom or shame.&nbsp; Others experience it as a craving.&nbsp; Still, others report that physical pain blocks mental suffering, bringing relief to that suffering.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients also use threats of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting\/\">suicide<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to cope with emotion. Saying \u201cI want to kill myself\u201d triggers extra support by those around us; if you\u2019re feeling abandoned, it\u2019s a fast and effective way to get attention.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with BPD also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">threaten suicide<\/a> to get their needs met. It\u2019s a simple statement, and it scares everyone: &#8220;If you don&#8217;t give me what I need, I&#8217;ll end my life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When family or friends call their \u201cbluff,\u201d they\u2019ll often hurt themselves to save face \u2013 or out of spite.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a difference between self-injurious behaviors and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/suicide-in-the-united-states\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">suicide attempt<\/a>, but one can turn into the other without trying.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emotions are so powerful, relationships so intense and problematic, and thoughts so easily influenced by one\u2019s emotional climate that a single mistake can become deadly in seconds. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BPD has a very high suicide rate.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6632023\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"One in every ten people (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">One in every ten people<\/a> with the disorder will die by their own hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borderline Personality Disorder sufferers can also become extremely agitated and aggressive, especially if they feel their distress isn\u2019t acknowledged or their needs aren&#8217;t being met.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-styled-box ub-styled-box ub-notification-box\" id=\"ub-styled-box-67252cc7-c750-4261-a880-579685247fce\">\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"ub-styled-box-notification-content-\"><strong>Shop now at Amazon.com<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B08L9NHDBD\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B08L9NHDBD&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=blunttherapy-20&amp;linkId=247b0c31d800edeca5c20fda9f4a90bc\">Sometimes Therapy Is Awkward : A Collection of Life-Changing Insights for the Modern Clinician<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=blunttherapy-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B08L9NHDBD\" alt=\"\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=blunttherapy-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B08L9NHDBD\" alt=\"\"><\/noscript><\/em><\/li><li><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1939754852\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1939754852&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=blunttherapy-20&amp;linkId=7dda48936f5cccee0e0bff7b94d9f5d5\">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies For Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, And Worry<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=blunttherapy-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1939754852\" alt=\"\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=blunttherapy-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1939754852\" alt=\"\"><\/noscript><\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Other_characteristics\"><\/span>5. Other characteristics.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BPD as an illness triggers a need for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>immediate<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gratification; emotion and thought and desire are experienced as urgent.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occasionally BPD sufferers lose touch with reality, experiencing vague hallucinations or paranoia, or feeling estranged from their surroundings.\u00a0 The paranoia can be mild but pervasive; people with BPD often have problems trusting others.\u00a0 They constantly second-guess other people\u2019s intentions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For your reference, here are the diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. This comes from the DSM5, which is what clinicans use to diagnose mental and personality disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a diagnosis of BPD, 5 of the 9 criteria must be met. However, it is important to remember that only a trained <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\" title=\"mental health\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">mental health<\/a> professional can make an appropriate diagnosis. It is never a good idea to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/the-problem-with-mental-health-self-diagnosis\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">self-diagnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/borderline-personality-disorder-diagnosis-425174\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BPD is diagnosed<\/a> only when the symptoms are chronic, widespread, and interfere with every arena of the individual&#8217;s life.\u00a0 Providers usually require multiple visits before establishing a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Chronic feelings of emptiness<\/li><li>Emotional instability in reaction to day-to-day events (e.g., intense episodic sadness, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days)<\/li><li>Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment<\/li><li>Identity disturbance with markedly or persistently unstable self-image or sense of self<\/li><li>Impulsive behavior in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/myths-about-addiction\/\" title=\"substance abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">substance abuse<\/a>, reckless driving, binge eating)<\/li><li>Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)<\/li><li>Pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/relationships\/\">relationships<\/a> characterized by extremes between idealization and devaluation (also known as &#8220;splitting&#8221;)<\/li><li>Recurrent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">suicidal behavior<\/a>, gestures, or threats, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting-self-harm\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">self-harming<\/a> behavior<\/li><li>Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a lot like being inside a burning building and yelling for help, while the fireman outside says, &#8216;what are you so upset about? Just climb over the rubble and come on out!'&#8221; <\/span><\/p><cite><em>&#8212; Alexander L. Chapman<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11823 lazyload\" width=\"254\" height=\"359\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11823 lazyload\" width=\"254\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd1.jpg 339w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd1-127x180.jpg 127w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_normal_about_BPD_and_what_isnt\"><\/span>What\u2019s normal about BPD (and what isn\u2019t)?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all have mild borderline symptoms, especially when stressed. Who doesn&#8217;t get sensitive to rejection when they&#8217;re blue? Who doesn&#8217;t have moments of unexplained anguish, when we say things we later regret?&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And what about those deep worries that your lover is planning to leave? Is that fear of abandonment?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The difference between normal and mild BPD isn\u2019t black and white.&nbsp; Adolescents will sometimes have soft borderline features as part of their development; they usually mature out of them.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When symptoms persist beyond the teenage years, BPD becomes a consideration, but not all &#8220;borderline characteristics&#8221; mean a borderline diagnosis.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/is-my-child-crazy\/\">Intense mood swings<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, impulsivity, reactive emotions, relationship difficulties, and suicidal thoughts can also be related to bipolar disorder.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tendency to lose touch with reality, rage problems, irritability, and aggression are also associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-manage-ptsd-symptoms-at-home\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/a>&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agitation and aggression can be found in many disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>&#8220;It is as if my life were magically run by two electric currents: joyous positive and despairing negative &#8212; whichever is running at the moment dominates my life, floods it.&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/p><cite><em>&#8212; Sylvia Plath (note Ms. Plath might have had bipolar disorder, not BPD)<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_Borderline_Personality_Disorder\"><\/span>What causes Borderline Personality Disorder?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some theorize it\u2019s a developmental problem, caused by a chaotic, invalidating environment during early childhood.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the home where a kid\u2019s mother praises him for a behavior on day one, then slaps him on day two for doing the same thing.&nbsp; This is the environment where a little girl\u2019s good behavior is ignored, but her tantrums are rewarded with food and attention. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual abuse is common.&nbsp; Most people with Borderline Personality Disorder are victims of severe, repetitive childhood trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The theory of an invalidating childhood explains a lot.&nbsp;If as a child you didn&#8217;t get fed unless you acted out, then you had to kick and scream often and emphatically!&nbsp; Anything less would have meant starving to death.&nbsp; &#8220;Kicking and screaming&#8221; worked as a necessary coping skill.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all recycle \u201csuccessful\u201d coping skills and carry them over to adulthood.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The adult with BPD uses that same skill to deal with most issues, despite catastrophic consequences, because no one ever taught them there are kinder, healthier, cooler, less painful ways to do things.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s their &#8220;default&#8221; reaction, and all they know is it kept them alive all those years.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>&#8220;Living with BPD is pure confusion. It&#8217;s always like, &#8216;Am I allowed to be upset<br> about this thing or am I being oversensitive?'&#8221;<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p><cite><em><em>&#8212; <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthyplace.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">HealthyPlace.com<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_kind_of_therapy_is_best_for_borderline_personality_disorder\"><\/span>What kind of therapy is best for borderline personality disorder?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd5.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder DBT\" class=\"wp-image-11819 lazyload\" width=\"322\" height=\"384\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd5.jpg\" alt=\"Borderline Personality Disorder DBT\" class=\"wp-image-11819 lazyload\" width=\"322\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd5.jpg 429w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bpd5-151x180.jpg 151w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best talk-<a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\" title=\"therapy\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">therapy<\/a> for BPD is called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/kimrosenthalmd.com\/help-for-borderline-personality\/\" target=\"_blank\">DBT<\/a> is a six-month program that focuses on safety, mindful awareness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.&nbsp; The overall goal is to replace unhealthy coping skills with healthy ones.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_medications_helpful\"><\/span>Are medications helpful?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although therapy is primary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3513859\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"medication can also be helpful (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">medication can also be helpful<\/a>.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antidepressants and anxiety-busting medications can be helpful for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/what-is-depression\/\">depression<\/a>, anxiety, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">suicidal thoughts<\/a>, and impulsivity.&nbsp; <\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood stabilizers can help with mood swings, impulsivity, agitation, racing thoughts, and aggression.&nbsp; <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-psychotics are helpful for reality-testing.&nbsp; They also reduce agitation, aggression, and paranoia.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_I_do_if_I_think_I_have_BPD\"><\/span>What do I do if I think I have BPD?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes borderline personality disorder hits close to home.&nbsp; If you believe you have the disorder, reach out to a psychiatrist and therapist and get connected.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providers may not be perfect, but they can be great advocates if you let them.&nbsp; Also, if it&#8217;s offered in your community, consider signing up for a DBT course.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, check out <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kimrosenthalmd.com\/help-for-borderline-personality\/\" target=\"_blank\">self-help DBT<\/a> books or websites that offer free DBT resources.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever you do, get <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/questions-to-ask-your-therapist\/\">professional treatment<\/a>.&nbsp; The right therapy and medications can jump-start stability and long-term joy into your life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIronically, your newly experienced vulnerability \u2014 the feeling that you are now exposed for all the world to see, that all your weaknesses are now visible \u2014 is the very thing that can save you.\u201d<\/span><\/p><cite><em>\u2014 Merri Lisa Johnson<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a aria-label=\"Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Differences (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.choosingtherapy.com\/bpd-vs-bipolar-disorder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Differences<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\"The 5 Most Common Symptoms Of Borderline Personality Disorder (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.betterhelp.com\/advice\/personality-disorders\/the-5-most-common-symptoms-of-borderline-personality-disorder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">The 5 Most Common Symptoms Of Borderline Personality Disorder<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\"Borderline personality disorder: current drug treatments and future prospects (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3513859\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Borderline personality disorder: current drug treatments and future prospects<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\"Suicidality in Borderline Personality Disorder (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6632023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Suicidality in Borderline Personality Disorder<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/borderline-personality-disorder-diagnosis-425174\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Criteria for Diagnosis (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Criteria for Diagnosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-section uagb-section__wrap uagb-section__background-color uagb-block-540ad93d\"><div class=\"uagb-section__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-section__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-73105e3b wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h5 class=\"uagb-cta__title\">Private Practice  with No Overhead and No Shortage of Clients.<br><\/h5><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">Join\u00a0the more than 34,000 full and part-time therapists who are earning more with BetterHelp! Supplement your income, or build your own practice from scratch. Bonuses &amp; Incentives for High Performers! <strong>Sponsored Advertisement<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hasofferstracking.betterhelp.com\/aff_c?offer_id=20&amp;aff_id=1614\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Join BetterHelp<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by intense mood swings, problems with identity, difficulty tolerating stress, insecure relationships, and self-harm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":31174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[776,28,19,805],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Kim Rosenthal, M.D.","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/kim-rosenthal\/"},"modified_by":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",800,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image-150x84.jpg",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image-400x225.jpg",400,225,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",800,450,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",800,450,false],"tiny":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",60,34,false],"thumbnail-medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-square":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-portrait":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borderline-personality-disorder-featured-image.jpg",720,405,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Kim Rosenthal, M.D.","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/kim-rosenthal\/"},"uagb_comment_info":1,"uagb_excerpt":"Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by intense mood swings, problems with identity, difficulty tolerating stress, insecure relationships, and self-harm.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11817"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}