Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterised by disrupted interpersonal relationships, a distorted sense of self and strong emotional reactions that may seem inapproriate to others.
People suffering from a borderline personality disorder may often engage in self-harm as a way of trying to get their emotions back to a more stable baseline.
Sufferers may also struggle with feelings of emptiness, fears of abandonment or feeling detached from reality.
Borderline personaility disorder often begins during early adulthood and is often associated with drug abuse problems and depression.
As with all human behaviours that are classified as being due to underlying biological pathology, the causes of BPD remain unknown although both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play roles in its development.

Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms
The main symptoms associated with Borderline Personality Disorder incude the following nine signs and symptoms of which at least five must be present in order to reach the diagnostic level:
- Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
- Unstable and chaotic interpersonal relationships.
- A disturbed sense of identity and distorted self-image.
- Impulsive or reckless behaviors, for example impulsive spending, unsafe sex, substance misuse, reckless driving, etc.
- Self-harm.
- Rapidly shifting intense emotional dysregulation.
- Chronic feelings of emptiness.
- Inappropriate, intense anger that can be difficult to control.
- Paranoia.
- Dissociation.
The key symptoms indicating borderline pesonality disorders are those associated with disrupted interpersonal relationships in which people may be idealised and then de-valued, mood swings and difficulties controlling strong emotions.

Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
Technically, only a psychiatrist can diagnose a Borderline Personality Disorder, but in the UK general practitioners have tended to diagnose mental health problems by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
The DSM lists specific symptoms against a range of disorders and whenever a person meets this criteria, they are said to be suffering from that disorder.
Diagnostic procedures do NOT make use of medical testing (for example blood tests) in order to produce a diagnosis, but rather is an opinion based on the observation of certain behaviours in the person who is suffering.
Because of this lack of verifiable medical testing, diagnosis remains a controversial subject, particularly within the psychological (non-medical) community.
However, in the UK access to support services is often contingent on receiving a diagnosis, so in this sense, a formal diagnosis may be useful.
Getting a Mental Health Diagnosis
Please be aware that Lee Psychology do not diagnose mental health disorders.
Our psychological counselling services do not require you to have been formally diagnosed but should you wish to obtain a formal mental health diagnosis, then please contact your GP who can arrange it for you.

Counselling for Borderline Personality Disorder
We offer a number of different types of therapy and counselling for Borderline Personality Disorder and related problems.
Choosing the most suitable therapy depends on a number of different considerations including factors such as:
- How long you have had the problem.
- Your personal preferences.
- How your problem is affecting you today.
You can read more about the different types of therapy for anxiety on the following links:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
- The CORE programme for Borderline Personality Disorder
- Counselling for Borderline Personality Disorder
Although all therapies use slightly different approaches, the one thing they all have in common is the relationship that is formed between the client and therapist.
Research suggests that this therapy relationship may be the most important factor in achieving a good therapy outcome.
Psychiatry Through the Looking Glass
Read what the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) and the United Nations (U.N.) said recently about the biomedical models of mental illness on Psychology Today.

Arrange a FREE initial consultation
If you’d like to find out more about overcoming or recovering from Borderline Personality Disorder then why not arrange a free initial consultation with us.
During this consultation we will discuss your particular problems and the potential solutions in a safe and confidential environment without you having to commit to any therapy or counselling going forward.
This consultation lasts around 50 minutes and is a great opportunity to meet our therapists and decide if you would like to proceed with any support.
What to have a chat about your problem?
We offer a FREE 50 minute initial consultation to all prospective clients.
Call Paul on 07434 776125 - paul@leepsychology.com
Call Joan on 07434 776504 -Â joan@leepsychology.com
Common Mental Disorders
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
- Depersonalisation Disorder
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Prolonged Grief Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder