Teenagers often have to deal with confusing and frustrating changes to their bodies, minds and emotions as they grow up. For teens struggling with mood disorders such as borderline personality disorder, those changes can be much more intense.
It’s estimated that borderline personality disorder affects between 0.9% and 3% of teenagers. That is similar to the percentage of adults diagnosed with this mental health condition. So, how do you know if your teenager is displaying signs of borderline personality disorder? We’ll guide you through what you need to know to help your teen during this transitional time.
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that can make it difficult to function in everyday life. It can cause people to have unstable or explosive emotions that lead to impulsive actions, self-image issues and chaotic relationships. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by:
- Low self-image
- Mood swings
- Struggles with impulse control
- An intense fear of abandonment
- Negative feelings of self-worth
Everyone experiences these feelings to some extent; however, people with borderline personality disorder can struggle more than most with these emotions. They may also have difficulty controlling or regulating emotional reactions in stressful situations.
Additionally, they may deal with other mental health conditions such as:
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use disorders
Borderline personality disorder can be treated with the help of a mental health professional. However, due to its complexity, it can be challenging to know how to find the help your teen needs.
Borderline personality disorder signs and symptoms in teens
It may be difficult to distinguish between signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder and the typical challenges teenagers face. Some experts even say that teens should not be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder until they’re 18, since their personality isn’t fully formed until they’re adults. However, borderline personality disorder can be diagnosed in children as young as 11.
Adolescents may be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder after a one-year pattern of immature personality development. This pattern will include at least five of the following:
- Efforts to avoid abandonment
- Unstable interpersonal relationships
- Identity disturbance
- Impulsivity
- Suicidal behavior
- Self-mutilating behavior
- Affective instability
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Inappropriate, intense anger
- Stress-related paranoid ideation
The sooner borderline personality disorder is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated. Is your teen displaying signs of borderline personality disorder? They should be evaluated by a licensed health care professional.
If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.
The importance of early intervention with borderline personality disorder
Many children and teenagers who experience borderline personality disorder struggle with managing relationships. Because they can experience unstable or explosive emotions, it may be challenging for them to develop and maintain healthy relationships with others. While sometimes these signs can be mistaken for regular teenage rebellion, if you notice a pattern of behavior that aligns with borderline personality disorder, seek professional help for your child immediately.
The sooner you can help them seek a diagnosis, the sooner they can receive treatment. With borderline personality disorder, it’s best to treat symptoms as early as possible. Waiting to see if it’s “just a phase” can mean a delayed diagnosis and less support for your teen, and it may also result in more self-destructive and harmful behaviors.
Your teen with borderline personality disorder can live a successful, meaningful life, but early intervention is key to help them do that. So, if your child is showing signs of borderline personality disorder, find a professional who can help you determine what condition your child is dealing with.
How to treat borderline personality disorder
Though borderline personality disorder is a complex issue, it is treatable. Psychotherapy is the preferred treatment for this disorder, and there are two main methods therapists often use:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) — This therapy is a popular treatment method for borderline personality disorder. It targets destructive behaviors such as substance misuse, self-harm and suicidal behavior. The goal of DBT is to help your teen understand their behaviors. In addition, they will develop skills to handle challenging situations and emotions. This can help them:
- Control their emotions
- Stop destructive behaviors
- Manage their feelings
It may also be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help change their thinking and behavioral patterns.
- General psychiatric management (GPM) — This therapy uses a combination of psychiatric treatment methods to help people with borderline personality disorder. The goal of GPM is for your teen to learn life-building skills that can help them understand and manage their disorder. Heightened interpersonal sensitivity often occurs with borderline personality disorder. GPM can help them connect their heightened emotions and behaviors to relationship stressors. Then, they can incorporate practical problem-solving tools to help manage their symptoms.
No matter what treatment your therapist recommends, early intervention can make it easier to treat your teen’s symptoms. If you think your teen has borderline personality disorder, seek professional help for them as soon as possible.
At Embrace U, we specialize in helping teens and adolescents learn to navigate their mental health condition. We offer a range of treatment options tailored to help your child learn to manage their mental health and thrive in their everyday life.
If your teen is struggling with mental health concerns, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.