An individual with borderline personality disorder experiences an ongoing and pervasive pattern of instability with interpersonal relationships, self-image, mood, and behaviors, including marked impulsivity. This begins by early adulthood, and is present in a variety of contexts. It may be a difficult to be alone, and one may have a tendency to alternate between viewing self and others as all good, or all bad. Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder sometimes experiences intense episodes of anger, depression, or anxiety. At times, an individual may engage in self-harming behavior in an effort to lessen the intensity of an episode.
Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder are more likely than others to have experienced childhood trauma (such as abuse, neglect, early parental loss). They are also more likely to be very sensitive to environmental circumstances, and thus were more reactive as a child, which may not have been understood and validated. The invalidation may have inadvertently contributed to the development of the ineffective, and potentially harmful reactive thoughts and behaviors.
Treatment
The treatment of choice for Borderline Personality Disorder is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based practice treatment program. Individuals entering DBT agree to a minimum of one year of treatment. DBT begins with skills acquisition to enable the individual to more effectively and safely respond to and manage distress, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties. The individual participates in group, individual therapy, and coaching during this phase of treatment. DBT then adds applicable trauma therapy as needed for the next phase.
If you would like to speak with someone about Borderline Personality Disorder and treatment, simply give us a call.
Services are provided in the following locations:
Ellensburg
707 N. Pearl Street Ste E
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 925-7507
707 N. Pearl Street Ste K
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 925-9861
Sunnyside
1319 Saul Road
Sunnyside, WA 98944
(509) 837-2089 Ext 2700
Walla Walla
1520 Kelly Place
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-4000
Yakima
402 S. 4th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 575-4084