Intense emotional pain and feelings of emptiness, desperation, anger, hopelessness, andlonelinessare common.

These symptoms can affect every part of your life.

There are a number of things you’re free to do tohelp you cope with the symptoms.

Young woman sitting on sofa with smartphone

Image Source / Getty Images

Get Help

BPD is a very serious disorder.

The intense experiences associated with BPD are not something that anyone should face alone.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for BPD.

Mind Doc Guide

Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.

Treatments for BPD typically involve psychotherapy.

Find out which option is the best for you.

Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.

For this reason, it is critical for you to have asafety planin placebeforea crisis happens.

If you are in danger of harming yourself or others, what will you do?

Can you call 911?

Is there a hospital nearby with an emergency room that you could go to?

If you have a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or social worker, discuss this plan with them.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Get Support

Having thesupportof your family, friends, or partner can be a big help.

But, not everyone has someone to turn to when things get difficult.

You may need to find ways to connect with others and to build a support online grid for yourself.

Many of those people are looking for support, just like you.

Take Care of Yourself

It is important that people with BPD take good care of themselves.

Learn More

When it comes to your mental health, knowledge is power.

Educate yourself about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of BPD.

Learn about ways to manage your symptoms.

Share what you have learned with the people in your life who are affected by it.

It can take a toll on your relationships and work, but symptoms can also physical health and safety.

Being aware of these effects can help you better recognize the importance of treatment, support, and self-care.

Your Relationships and BPD

BPD can have a major impact on your relationships.

These patterns can be very difficult both for the person with BPD and those who care about them.

Unfortunately, BPD can interfere with your success at work or school.

Some of the symptoms of BPD likedissociationcan also interfere with concentration, which may make completing tasks very difficult.

Self-help strategies can also be beneficial.

For example, you might try meditation apps to help you practice mindfulness techniques to build greaterself-awarenessandself-regulationskills.

Finding ways to distract yourself when you’re struggling with intense emotions can also be helpful.

National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.

2021;12:567671. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.567671

Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Chronic pain syndromes and borderline personality.Innov Clin Neurosci.

2012;9(1):10-4.

Lee JS.Borderline personality disorder in the courtroom.Psychiatr Psychol Law.

2015;29(4):486-502. doi:10.1521/pedi.2015.29.4.486