Romantic relationships involving mental health conditions can be challenging, and this is particularly true when dating someone with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This condition is one which causes the sufferer to feel intense fear of abandonment. Such fear can lead to several difficulties within relationships.
If you are concerned about your relationship or feel you may have BPD, then learning more about what to expect and how to manage issues that might arise is crucial.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder is especially difficult with regard to relationships because it causes people to fear abandonment, but also to easily become smothered or afraid of getting too close. These emotions often play out in a pattern of back and forth in which a person becomes quite clingy, but then abruptly withdraws. Emotions of a person suffering from BPD can be quite intense.
For example, some symptoms of borderline personality disorder include:
- Intense fear of abandonment, separation or rejection
- All or nothing thinking in which others are perfect or evil
- Threats of self-harm or suicide
- Risky behaviors like gambling, unsafe sex, drug use or impulsive spending
- Inability to empathize with others
- Easily losing temper
- Extreme mood swings from feeling euphoric to intense self-hatred
Dating Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder
Relationship stress and conflict are hallmarks of BPD. That’s why dating someone with a borderline personality disorder can be so tricky. Breakups are common in relationships with someone who has this diagnosis but understanding its effects and how to manage symptoms can help.
It’s important to remember that having BPD doesn’t make someone a bad person. It does indicate, however, that there are some things to be aware of when entering such a relationship. In fact, the intense emotional bonds and intimacy that can come from dating someone with a borderline personality disorder can make for strong relationships when efforts are taken to manage BPD symptoms.
Dealing with the ups and downs and black and white thinking of BPD can truly test a relationship. The key to getting past these issues is to be aware of them and to talk openly about them when they occur. In addition, seeking professional help through therapy or treatment is essential to maintaining healthy interactions and general wellness.
How Encore Health Group Can Help
Professional borderline personality disorder treatment Tennessee can provide you with the tools you need to deal with BPD in order to maintain healthy relationships. A facility such as Encore Health Group has the expertise and the resources to provide you with the information, education, and tools you need to learn successful coping strategies and to recognize damaging behavior.
Features of Encore’s program include:
- 5 locations surrounding Chattanooga
- Mental health treatment
- Outpatient mental health counseling
- Anxiety treatment
- Depression treatment
- Medication management
- Medication-assisted therapy
Don’t let BPD control your life. You can enjoy dating someone with borderline personality disorder and have a fulfilling relationship with the right knowledge and resources. Make an appointment today to learn more about our program and what we can offer your particular situation. We’re here to help.
