Borderline Personality Disorder

Understanding BPD: Symptoms, Causes, and How Treatment Can Help

What is BPD? (Borderline Personality Disorder)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition marked by intense emotional instability, difficulty maintaining relationships, a shifting sense of identity, and impulsive behavior.

People with BPD may experience rapid mood swings, fear of abandonment, chronic feelings of emptiness, and intense episodes of anger or anxiety.

Relationships can be turbulent, often swinging between idealization and mistrust. While BPD can feel overwhelming, it is treatable—with a combination of medication and support, many individuals with BPD can learn to manage symptoms and lead fulfilling, stable lives.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Symptoms

  • BPD Behavioral Symptoms

    • Extreme mood swings (highs and lows)

    • Increased energy and activity during manic episodes

    • Decreased need for sleep during mania

    • Impulsivity or risk-taking behavior

    • Rapid speech or pressured talking

    • Racing thoughts

    • Difficulty focusing or making decisions

    • Loss of interest in activities during depressive episodes

    • Social withdrawal during depression

    • Irritability or agitation

  • BPD Physical Symptoms

    • Fatigue or low energy during depressive episodes

    • Insomnia or hypersomnia

    • Unexplained weight loss or gain

    • Appetite changes

    • Psychomotor agitation or retardation (e.g., fidgeting or slowed movements)

    • Physical restlessness during manic episodes

    • Headaches or muscle tension

    • Gastrointestinal issues

    • Increased libido during mania

    • Physical exhaustion after manic episodes

Medication Management for Borderline Personality Disorder

How Medication Can Help:

  • Reduce mood instability and emotional outbursts.

  • Ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and impulsivity.

  • Improve sleep and reduce irritability.

  • Support your ability to fully engage in daily responsibilities.

Medication Management Options for Anxiety:

Mood Stabilizers:

Help reduce impulsive behaviors, mood swings, and aggression:

Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs):

Used to treat co-occurring symptoms of depression or anxiety:

Atypical Antipsychotics:

Prescribed for severe mood swings, impulsivity, or perceptual disturbances:

Other medications:

There is no single “BPD medication,” so treatment is customized based on your most prominent symptoms. Medication is typically used alongside talk therapy—especially Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which is highly effective for BPD.

At Skye Mental Health, medication management is never one-size-fits-all. We take the time to listen, monitor your progress, and adjust your treatment plan as needed to ensure the best possible results. Healing is a process, and we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way.