Virtual Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in New York and Massachusetts
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that occurs as a result of an individual’s inability to properly process their emotions. Many of the behaviors exhibited by a person with BPD seem entirely justified and normal to them, and it can be particularly challenging for the individual to return to a stable emotional state after a triggering event.
Board-certified psychiatrist Christopher Robertson, MD frequently treats patients with borderline personality disorder, and is aware of how to assist these individuals in managing their emotions in a healthy and productive way. If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms of BPD, contact Stella Psychiatry to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robertson. We see patients virtually in New York and Massachusetts.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Before receiving an official diagnosis, a person with BPD is often referred to as being “dramatic”, “moody”, or “impulsive” due to their extreme reactions to certain stimuli. Left untreated, these responses can lead to significant difficulties in school, work, or personal relationships.
Signs and symptoms that often appear in those with borderline personality disorder include:
- A pattern of unstable relationships
- Wide ranging mood swings lasting from a few hours up to a few days that can have the person feeling incredibly happy one moment and extremely irritated the next
- Intense fear of abandonment
- A distorted or constantly changing self-image
- Impulsive decisions that often place the individual in risky or dangerous situations
- Ongoing feelings of emptiness or boredom
- Uncontrollable anger that is often immediately followed by feelings of shame
- Dissociation from one’s own thoughts or identity
- Stress-related paranoia
- Inappropriate reactions, including physical altercations, that are often a result of the person losing their temper
It is critical for individuals with these symptoms to seek professional assistance right away. It is only with the help from a specialist like Dr. Robertson that persons with borderline personality disorder can properly manage their condition in a way that is not self-destructive or potentially violent to themselves or others.
Causes & Risk Factors
There is no exact cause for borderline personality disorder, though there are several known factors that can increase a person’s chances of having the condition. Roughly 75% of all individuals diagnosed with BPD are in fact female, though research suggests that many men with this condition tend to be misdiagnosed with a similar disorder like PTSD or depression, and so it is unclear if BPD is actually influenced by a person’s gender.
Genetics and hereditary predisposition each play a large role in passing on the disorder or a similar mental health condition from one family member to another. For example, if your mother suffered from BPD, then you are at an increased risk of being diagnosed, though there is no guarantee as to whether any person will or will not experience a borderline personality disorder.
In addition to having a family history of borderline personality disorder, individuals are also at an increased risk if they possess particular abnormalities in the brain, or if they experienced a particularly stressful childhood during which they never learned how to properly process their emotions.
Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder
Once a case of BPD has been identified, Dr. Robertson will typically begin the treatment process by getting to know more about the patient, their triggers, and any preferences they have about how they would like to proceed in their treatment plan. No two patients are exactly alike, and so Dr. Robertson feels it is important to take a unique approach to each case so that they can find solutions that best fit the particular patient and their lifestyle.
Psychotherapy for BPD
Various forms of behavioral therapy have shown to be highly effective in treating individuals with borderline personality disorder. This approach focuses on developing healthy coping mechanisms for the patient so that they are able to respond to any emotional dysregulation in a way that is not harmful or destructive to themselves or others. Psychotherapy has demonstrated long term success in many separate cases of borderline personality disorder, and is often one of the first methods recommended for individuals with this condition.
Medication Management
There are many different types of medication that can be prescribed by Dr. Robertson to help patients regulate their emotions. Mood stabilizers and antidepressants are most commonly used, though the particular medication given will depend largely on the individual and their unique symptoms. These medications may be prescribed for daily consumption, or only on an as-needed basis when the patient experiences times of extreme stress.
Schedule a Borderline Personality Disorder Consultation
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of BPD in New York or Massachusetts, contact Stella Psychiatry today to schedule a consultation with board-certified psychiatrist Christopher Robertson, MD. Give us a call at (617) 221-5040 to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form.
This content has been reviewed by board-certified psychiatrist Christopher Robertson, MD.
