Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and often mis understood mental health condition. It effects how we see ourselves, relate to others and regulate our emotions. Characterised by emotional instability, intense and unstable relationships, impulsive behaviour and a fragmented sense of self BPD can really impact on a person’s life. If you are looking for support working with a BPD psychologist in Melbourne can be life changing.
Emotional dysregulation is one of the main features of BPD. People with BPD often experience extreme mood swings chronic feelings that can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. These emotions can shift rapidly sometimes triggered by small events and leave us feeling vulnerable and exhausted. Feelings of intense anger, sadness or frustration can come out of the blue and make it hard to navigate daily life.
For many people with BPD relationships are a source of both connection and distress. A deep fear of abandonment in intense relationships and drives behaviours that may seem over the top or reactive to others. These behaviours can create a cycle of highs and lows in relationships marked by moments of intense closeness followed by conflict or withdrawal. This can create a sense of unsteadiness that can impact personal and professional relationships.
People with BPD often have a fluctuating or fragile sense of self. This can manifest as uncertainty about personal values, goals or even what role we play in life. This unsteadiness can leave us feeling empty or disconnected and make decision making hard and create inner turmoil.
Impulsivity is another feature of BPD often used as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. This can include behaviours such as binge eating, reckless spending, substance abuse or use or unsafe sex or engaging in self harm. While these behaviours may provide temporary relief they often lead to negative consequences and feelings of guilt or shame. In some cases people may self harm or have suicidal thoughts and that’s why professional help is so important.
When we are under stress or anxious people with BPD may feel disconnected, spaced out or even paranoid. These stress responses can impact daily life and make things like work or social interactions harder. Managing these symptoms through therapy is key to getting back to feeling stable and confident.
BPD can impact on emotional, social and professional life. Unfortunately the misconceptions and stigma around the condition often stop people from seeking help.
It’s important to remember BPD is not a personal failing or choice but a complex mental health condition caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and social factors. By increasing awareness and understanding of BPD we can reduce stigma and create a space where people feel safe to seek help.
Many people with BPD experience shame as a major barrier to recovery. Shame can intensify feelings of worthlessness, depression and isolation making it even harder to reach out for help. By creating understanding and compassion therapy can help people break free from this cycle and move forward with self acceptance and resilience.
The causes of BPD are complex and multi faceted involving biological, environmental and psychological factors.
Research suggests genetic predisposition plays a role in the development of BPD. A family history of personality disorders or other serious mental health or physical conditions can increase the risk of BPD. But genetics alone don’t cause it.
Early life experiences shape emotional and psychological development. Experiences such as childhood abuse, neglect, sexual assault or trauma are common in people with BPD. Growing up in an invalidating environment where emotions are dismissed or criticised can disrupt the development of healthy emotional regulation skills.
Chronic stress, unstable relationships, family violence or significant life changes can trigger or worsen BPD symptoms. These factors combine with genetic and environmental influences to make each person’s BPD experience unique.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is considered one of the most effective treatments for BPD. This structured evidence based approach teaches people practical skills to manage emotions, build healthier relationships and navigate life’s challenges. DBT focuses on four areas:
Mindfulness: Being present and non judgemental.
Emotion Regulation: Learning to identify, understand and regulate intense emotions.
Distress Tolerance: Building skills to cope with crises and reduce self harm.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationship skills to build healthier relationships.
In addition to DBT other therapies have been shown to be effective for BPD:
Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT): Understanding and interpreting thoughts and emotions in oneself and others.
Schema Therapy: Working with deep rooted patterns of thinking and behaving that cause emotional pain.
Trauma Focused Interventions: Processing and healing past traumas that underlie BPD symptoms.
See a Melbourne based clinical psychologist to get the support you need to manage BPD symptoms and move towards recovery.
Everyone’s BPD experience is unique and treatment plans need to reflect that. A trained psychologist will work with you to develop a personalised approach to address your specific mental health issues and goals.
There are several therapy options for people with BPD:
Individual Therapy: A private space to work on personal issues and develop coping skills.
Group Therapy: A supportive environment to practice new skills and connect with others who understand.
Family Therapy: To improve communication and understanding within the family and create a supportive home environment.
Accurate assessment and diagnosis is key to developing a treatment plan.
Psychologists use several tools to assess BPD symptoms:
Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23): Measures the severity of BPD symptoms.
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders (SCID-5-PD): Comprehensive assessment of personality disorders.
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI): Emotional and interpersonal functioning.
These tools combined with clinical interviews allow psychologists to get a detailed understanding of each person’s mental health issues and needs.
At Cova Psychology we specialise in working with people with Borderline Personality Disorder. Our Melbourne based psychologists offer compassionate evidence based care to help clients manage their symptoms and live better.
We offer individualised treatment plans to address each person’s specific needs. This may include:
DBT Skills Training: Learn skills for emotional regulation and relationship management.
Trauma Therapy: Work on underlying issues causing emotional pain.
One on One Support: Work with a psychologist to develop a recovery plan tailored to your situation.
Our Melbourne CBD clinic provides comprehensive and personalised psychological support both in person and online therapy sessions.
We know seeking help for BPD can feel like a daunting step. Our psychologists will create a non judgemental supportive space for you to work on your issues and towards real change.
Shame is a big part of the BPD experience. Read our blog post on shame and emotional healing to learn more about managing shame, emotional pain and self compassion.
If you or someone you love has BPD get in touch with professional help can be life changing. At Cova Psychology our team of Melbourne based psychologists are here to support you on your journey. Contact our friendly reception to book an appointment by:
Call us now on 03 9654 3557
Use our online webform
We offer face to face sessions in the Melbourne CBD or online via telehealth.
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Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist
Acknowledgement of Country
Cova Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Melbourne CBD practice is located—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, as well as the Elders of other Aboriginal communities in Melbourne and beyond.
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We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the practice is located. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
