How to treat borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder can be treated through psychological therapy, medication, social support, crisis intervention, self-management, and other methods. Borderline personality disorder is usually caused by genetic factors, childhood trauma, abnormal brain function, family environment, social pressure, and other reasons.

1. Psychotherapy

Dialectical behavior therapy is the core treatment method for borderline personality disorder, which helps patients regulate emotions and improve interpersonal relationships through skill training. Psychological therapy focuses on enhancing patients' ability to understand their own and others' psychological states. Empathy focused therapy works on the relationship pattern between patients and therapists. These therapies usually require long-term persistence and can be enhanced with family therapy.

2. Drug therapy

Olanzapine can alleviate impulsive aggressive behavior, quetiapine helps stabilize emotional fluctuations, and lamotrigine is effective in treating emotional disorders. Medications should be used under the guidance of a psychiatrist and regularly evaluated for efficacy and side effects. Drug therapy cannot cure the disease but can control symptoms, usually requiring a combination of psychological therapy. Patients are not allowed to adjust their medication regimen on their own.

3. Social Support

Establishing a stable social support network is crucial for rehabilitation. Joining a patient support group can reduce shame and gain emotional support. Family members need to receive professional guidance and learn effective communication skills. Community rehabilitation institutions can provide vocational skills training to help patients rebuild their social functions. The support system needs to avoid the extremes of overprotection or blame.

4. Crisis Intervention

Emergency plans should be developed for situations such as self injury and suicide. The emergency department of the hospital can handle acute attacks, and the psychological crisis hotline provides immediate support. The security protocol should clearly list the triggering factors and response strategies. Timely psychological assessment and adjustment of treatment plans are necessary after a crisis. The focus of intervention is on preventing crisis escalation rather than simply stopping behavior.

5. Self management

Emotional diary helps identify patterns of emotional changes, and mindfulness practice can enhance current awareness. Regular sleep and moderate exercise can improve physiological foundation. Artistic expression can serve as a safe channel for emotional release. Patients need to learn pause techniques and establish a buffer period before impulsiveness. Reasonable expectations should be set during the rehabilitation process to accept that symptoms may recur. The treatment of borderline personality disorder requires multidimensional long-term intervention and the establishment of a professional team including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and social workers. Family members should learn about disease knowledge and avoid improper attribution. Patients can try relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation to maintain a balanced diet and adequate sleep. During the rehabilitation process, it is necessary to record changes in symptoms and conduct regular follow-up visits to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Early systemic intervention can significantly improve prognosis, and most patients can recover their social function after treatment.