Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is also sometimes called Emotionally Unstable PD (EUPD). There are also other Personality Disorder types, which can overlap with BPD symptoms. The term 'Borderline' was originally used because doctors used to think it was on the border between two different disorders - Neurosis and Psychosis.

See NHS Inform for further information of BPD.

Everyone is an individual, and no 2 people with this diagnosis have exactly the same combination of symptoms.

The main symptoms are:-

• Intense, highly changeable moods.
• Long lasting feelings of emptiness.
• Extreme reactions to feeling abandoned.
• Regular self-harming, suicidal thoughts, intent or behaviours.
• Unstable, intense relationships with others.
• Confused feeling about your identity. (Not being sure what your identity is/switching identity according to who you are with.)
• Being impulsive in ways that could be damaging. For example - overspending, sex with multiple partners, substance abuse (alcohol, over the counter drugs, prescription drugs, illegal or street drugs), reckless driving and binge eating.
• Difficulty controlling your anger. For example, losing your temper or getting into fights.
• Feeling paranoid, hearing voices or seeing things that are not really there when you are stressed.

Having a diagnosis of Personality Disorder does not make you a bad person.

Everyone is an individual, and different things work for different people. 

• Take a minute out and try to slow down your breathing
• Reassure yourself
• Seek out people who can help you - friends/family/professional
• Stay away from people who won't help you

STOP Skill

   S - Stop for a minute

   T - Take a breath/Take a step back from the situation

   O - Observe what is happening (what are you thinking/feeling)

   P - Proceed mindfully - think about your actions

TIPP 

   T - Temperature (splash your face with water, or use ice pack)

   I - Intense exercise - even just for a short while

   P - Paced breathing (trying to slow your breathing down or breathe in for 5 and out for 7)

   P - Pairing muscle relaxation with your breathing

Please find further resources on the BPD coping skills leaflet developed by the BPD Dialogues lived experience group 

Borderline and Beyond Patient Leaflet can be found here.

BPD Dialogues Group - The BPD Dialogues Group is a unique initiative that brings together individuals with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who have first hand experience using NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde services.

BPD coping skills leaflet developed by the BPD Dialogues lived experience group 

NHS Inform has more information relating to personality disorder.

• Samaritans Free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (freephone). Email: jo@samaritans.org 
• Breathing Space (Scotland) A confidential phone line for anyone feeling low, anxious, or depressed. Call 0800 83 85 87 (free)  Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am 
• Give us a shout A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 85258 (free) 
• Self Harm Network Scotland, who can provide support and resources and a live chat is available from 6pm to 10pm, 7 days a week. The Self Harm Network can also provide one to one support to anyone 12+ in Scotland via phone, video call or text support; complete their Contact Us form and someone will be in touch. A support group for loved ones is also available.