Borderline Personality Disorder

The name of this disorder is somewhat misleading. This name came to be because in the 40s and 50s this disorder was thought to be borderline between psychosis and neurosis. There are those who are calling for the name to be changed to something like "emotional regulation disorder". This is because people with this personality disorder have trouble controlling their emotions.

Nobody is positive what causes this disorder, but like many disorders it seems to be a combination of physical and mental issues. Often the person with the disorder has a chemical imbalance in their body, causing their erratic behavior. Genetics do seem to play a role as well, as this disorder seems to run in families.

Also, many people who have this personality disorder report experiencing some sort of trauma in their childhood. These traumas could be anything from being emotionally abused, to physically or sexually abused, or being neglected or abandoned.

This is a serious disorder, but it can be helped, and drugs do not have to be used! Some alternative therapies suggested are yoga and acupuncture. These can help to relieve stress, and help the patient feel balanced and well.

Naturopathy is another alternative treatment. This kind of treatment can be expensive, but often works very well for people who follow the treatments properly. The use of whole plants can provide people with chemicals that they may have been lacking before. Sometimes these missing chemicals are what were causing much of the disorder.

Aromatherapy can be used on its own, or in conjunction with almost any other treatment. There are many different oils and scents that can be used to treat many different symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. This makes it a great option because it is so flexible. If certain scents work for a certain patient, they can focus on using those. Scents can also be switched out as often as needed according to the patient's day to day feelings.

Psychotherapy is another popular option for the treatment of BPD. There are two kinds of psychotherapy treatment for this condition. The first, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, was specifically designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. This therapy teaches the patient to regulate their emotions, improve relationships, and tolerate negative feelings.

The second type of therapy, Transference-Focused Therapy, analyzes the relationship between the patient and the therapist. Then, studying the inevitable emotions and difficulties in the relationship, the patient can better understand how to deal with relationships in other areas of their lives.

While Borderline Personality Disorder may seem like an overwhelming condition, both to the patient and to those around them, there are things that can be done to gain control of the situation. By using alternative therapies, a person can improve their daily life and relationships without having to risk the side-effects of medications.

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