Find a BPD Therapist

Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that differ from what’s expected culturally—and that cause difficulty in relationships, work, or day-to-day life.

They are not flaws or personal failures. They reflect deeply rooted emotional patterns that developed over time—often as a response to early life experiences. Borderline Personality Disorder, one of the most well-known personality disorders, involves extreme emotional sensitivity, impulsivity, and fear of rejection or abandonment.

A borderline personality disorder therapist can help you understand these patterns and build healthier ways of coping.

If you often feel like your emotions are too big, too fast, or completely out of control—and it’s affecting your relationships—you might be wondering whether you have BPD.

You might have BPD if:

• You experience intense, fast-changing emotions that feel overwhelming
• Your relationships tend to be unstable or filled with conflict
• You fear abandonment or rejection, even in small situations
• You act impulsively—through spending, eating, self-harm, or substance use
• You feel unsure of who you are or what you believe
• You often feel empty or numb
• You sometimes feel paranoid, dissociated, or out of touch with reality when stressed

Only a licensed therapist for borderline personality disorder can diagnose you—but recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing.

Recognizing the symptoms

BPD symptoms can vary from person to person, but they typically include:

• Rapid, intense mood swings (often triggered by small stressors)
• Deep fear of being abandoned or left alone
• Unstable relationships—swinging between idealizing and devaluing others
• Identity issues (not knowing who you are or what you value)
• Impulsive or risky behavior (bingeing, reckless driving, etc.)
• Chronic feelings of emptiness or meaninglessness
• Explosive anger or difficulty controlling rage
• Self-harming behaviors or suicidal thoughts
• Short-term episodes of paranoia or dissociation

If you relate to several of these, a BPD therapist can help clarify what’s going on and what kind of support would help most.

What do the diagnostic criteria mean?

To be diagnosed with BPD, a person must meet criteria outlined in the DSM-5—the manual used by mental health professionals. This includes a pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions, along with impulsive behavior, beginning in early adulthood and present in various settings.

Diagnosis doesn’t define who you are—it simply provides a framework to help you get better. A borderline personality disorder therapist will assess your experiences with care, curiosity, and respect, then help you decide what kind of treatment makes sense for your goals.

Getting diagnosed

Getting diagnosed with BPD often involves:

• A clinical interview with a licensed mental health provider
• A review of your emotional and behavioral history
• Discussion of your relationships, identity, and coping skills
• Screening questionnaires or assessments, if needed

Many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder before receiving a BPD diagnosis. That’s why it’s important to work with a therapist specializing in BPD—someone trained to spot the difference and offer targeted support.

BPD is complex and has no single cause. It usually develops from a combination of genetics, temperament, and early life experiences.

Common contributing factors include:

• Trauma or neglect in childhood
• Emotional invalidation, such as caregivers who dismissed your feelings or made love conditional
• Family instability or mental illness in the home
• Biological sensitivity to emotions or stress
• Attachment disruptions (e.g., inconsistent caregivers or early abandonment)

None of these experiences mean you’re broken—they simply shape how you learned to protect yourself. In therapy for borderline personality disorder, you’ll explore where these patterns began and learn how to replace them with safer, more effective coping tools.

Yes. While BPD has a reputation for being difficult to treat, many people improve significantly with the right therapy. It’s not easy—but it is absolutely possible to feel better, think more clearly, and have healthier relationships.

With consistent support and a therapist who understands the condition, people with BPD often experience:

• Fewer emotional outbursts
• Better relationship skills
• More stable sense of identity
• Increased self-worth
• Improved mood regulation
• Less impulsive behavior

The earlier you start, the better the outcomes—but it’s never too late.