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CMD BPD Webpage.jfif

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Practical information and support for emotional regulation, relationships and building greater stability.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that can affect emotions, relationships, sense of self and the way a person responds to stressful situations.

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People living with BPD may experience emotions very intensely and can sometimes find it difficult to return to a calmer emotional state. Relationships may also feel particularly important, and fears of rejection, abandonment or disconnection can become overwhelming.

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BPD can look different from one person to another. Some people may experience rapid changes in mood, uncertainty about their identity, impulsive reactions, intense relationship difficulties or periods of feeling empty, disconnected, or overwhelmed.

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With appropriate support, people living with BPD can develop greater emotional stability, healthier relationships and practical skills for managing distress and everyday challenges.

Common Experiences Associated With BPD

  • Intense or rapidly changing emotions

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  • Fear of rejection or abandonment

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  • Difficulty managing distress

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  • Feeling empty or disconnected

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  • Uncertainty about identity or sense of self

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  • Impulsive reactions or behaviours

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  • Difficulties in close relationships

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  • Black-and-white or all-or-nothing thinking

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  • Strong reactions to perceived rejection

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  • Difficulty returning to emotional balance

When BPD Begins to Affect Everyday Life

BPD can become especially difficult when intense emotions, relationship stress or impulsive reactions begin to interfere with everyday life.

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This may include feeling overwhelmed by conflict, becoming highly distressed by perceived rejection, withdrawing from others, acting impulsively during emotional moments, or finding it difficult to maintain a stable sense of self.

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For some people, these patterns can affect relationships, work, study, confidence and overall well-being. Support can help build greater understanding of these patterns and develop practical ways to respond more effectively.

How Counselling and DBT Can Help

Counselling can provide a supportive space to better understand emotional patterns, relationship difficulties, triggers and the experiences that may contribute to feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.

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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is one evidence-informed approach that can be particularly helpful for people experiencing difficulties with emotional regulation, distress, impulsive reactions and relationships.

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Support may include:

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  • Building greater awareness of emotions and triggers

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  • Learning mindfulness and grounding skills

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  • Developing distress tolerance strategies

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  • Strengthening emotional regulation skills

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  • Improving communication and relationship boundaries

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  • Reducing impulsive or unhelpful reactions

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  • Building a stronger and more stable sense of self

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  • Developing practical skills for managing everyday challenges

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DBT focuses on helping people balance acceptance with meaningful change. Over time, these skills can support greater emotional stability, healthier relationships and increased confidence in managing difficult situations.

When to Seek Additional Support

If distress becomes overwhelming, you feel unable to keep yourself safe, or you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please seek urgent support.

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Call 000 if there is immediate danger, or visit our Emergency Assistance page for crisis support options.

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