The authors of a 2020 review state that antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications for BPD. A doctor may prescribe : selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants.
Medications. Although no drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, certain medications may help with symptoms or co-occurring problems such as depression, impulsiveness, aggression or anxiety.
The Social Security Administration placed borderline personality disorder as one of the mental health disorders on its disabilities list. However, you'll have to meet specific criteria for an official disability finding. For example, you must prove that you have the symptoms of the condition.
Examples of anti-anxiety medications used to treat the symptoms of BPD include: Alprazolam (Xanax) Diazepam (Valium) Buspirone (Buspar)
Overcoming BPD without medication is possible, but you should always follow the guidance and treatment plan set forth by your doctor or health care provider. Medication isn't necessarily the primary treatment for BPD in most cases. It's typically only used to treat specific symptoms such as depression or mood swings.
Limited therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants in BPD may be related to lack of serotonin receptor specificity, since 5-HT2A but not 5-HT2C antagonism is associated with decreasing impulsivity.
People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense mood swings and feel uncertainty about how they see themselves. Their feelings for others can change quickly, and swing from extreme closeness to extreme dislike. These changing feelings can lead to unstable relationships and emotional pain.
First-line treatment for BPD is psychotherapy [5-7]. Psychotropic medications are used as adjuncts to psychotherapy, targeting specific BPD symptom clusters. Adjunctive use of symptom targeted medications has been found to be useful [8].
Listen to music that you find uplifting or soothing. Write a comforting letter to the part of yourself that is feeling sad or alone. Let yourself cry or sleep. Cuddle a pet or a soft toy.
Environmental factors
being a victim of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. being exposed to long-term fear or distress as a child. being neglected by 1 or both parents. growing up with another family member who had a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or a drink or drug misuse problem.
BPD can be a serious condition, and many people with the condition self-harm and attempt suicide.
BPD is often confused as an affective disorder (depressive or bipolar disorder), but the proof is in the treatment. When those with BPD, with or without MDD, engage in treatment for depression, the symptoms and course of depression do not lessen the BPD symptoms.
In fact, many antidepressants can cause mood swings as a side effect, which can amplify the flurry of emotions that you are already feeling due to BPD, highlighting the necessity of proper diagnosis and receiving the appropriate antidepressant medication.
Family issues as a source of resistance
Another important source of resistance in treating patients with BPD is their notion that change may entail betraying their family in particular ways as well as giving up habits they may feel work well for them in avoiding feelings.
If your doctor suspects BPD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for diagnosis and treatment – this may be through your local public mental health service. There are no specific tests that can help confirm the diagnosis of BPD.
Vitamin C supplements might be beneficial for people whose BPD symptoms include anxiety and nervous tension. One 2015 study found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C a day reduced anxiety in some people. If you're looking for how to treat BPD naturally, vitamin C might be a good option to explore.
There's no specific test for BPD, but a healthcare provider can determine a diagnosis with a comprehensive psychiatric interview and medical exam. After that, you can get appropriate treatment and begin to manage your symptoms better and move forward in your life.
The majority of medicines used as sedatives are benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, diazepam) or z-drugs (e.g., zopiclone, zolpidem). They can be helpful in the treatment of borderline personality disorder when used for short periods for crisis management, for example during a short inpatient hospital admission.
According to Psych Central, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are typically the go-to for treating borderline personality disorder. SSRIs work to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, suicidal behavior, anger and impulsivity.
Studies show that certain SSRIs and SNRIs can help manage depression, anxiety, anger, and impulsivity in people with BPD. Types of SSRI and SNRI antidepressants include: Fluoxetine (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft)