What are the treatments for people with BPD?

[*..life in pain..*]

Ive been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and i have a psych to whom i talk about my everyday life, a psych for meds and art group therapy. But the problem is that they dont seem to help much since im still suicidal after 2 years in this therapy. Anything else i can try? Any ideas?

[startingagain]

I see a clinical psychologist and he uses a variety of styles. The main one is based on CAT.

[Sheltie90]

I have started dbt treatment, it seems quite good at the moment only about 5/6 weeks into it x x

[ThinkingofRecovery]

I too am starting on dbt as that is the recommended treatment over here in the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Guidelines so if possible it is provided. I've only had pre-treatment so far so can't really tell you much about it or how useful it is or isn't.

[BridgesAndBalloons]

I was diagnosed with BPD just over a year ago and have been referred to four year course of group therapy, one year of that being spent as part of a therapeutic community. I think DBT and CBT amongst other things are used in the group therapy. Although that's just what's been offered to me in my area of the UK, I think the length of the courses and what is involved varies quite a bit.

[ThinkingofRecovery]

I have tried a 1 day a week Therapeutic Community which was quite frankly useless and not containing enough. It didn't offer any new skills or coping mechanisms. 8 months wasted.

I have also been offered psychodynamic psychotherapy but I couldn't buy into the bullshit they spout and how long a commitment with again no new ways to cope, just talking.

[ThinkingofRecovery]

Sorry to keep posting but there is also a therapy called Mentalisation Behavioural Therapy that I know is available in some areas.

[whirlpools]

Most of my therapy has been analytic-based, in individual and group (therapeutic community) work. It's made a huge difference to me, alongside medication, which I couldn't have coped without. I also did three years of psychology but didn't find that especially helpful following working with therapists. I don't know why, I just kind of 'click' with that kind of treatment. Never tried anything skills-based, like DBT/CBT.

[Stellata]

I have sub-threshold Borderline, basically a trauma based attachment disorder. Like Laura, I respond best to analytic based psychotherapy, but solely individual rather than group [though my groups have been limited to psychotherapy training therapy groups, which are a breed of their own!]. I also need medication, for depression, it takes the 'edge' off so I can actually work in psychotherapy.

[Cryptic.]

There are a few treatments available to treat or rather cope with BPD. I was told in my group on Tuesday that out of all the PD's, BPD is one of the ones that has more successful treatment options for it, so there is hope for people who suffer with BPD. (not to say other PD's don't have hope, but this is what I was just told.)

I'm currently in a group 20 week long therapy called STEPPS(CBT based) and that's just one treatment available.

Medications can be used to help treat symptoms too, but they prefer to use therapy alongside it or first.

Talk to a professional about treatments that are available in your area for you if you want to try something else that could help, it's not hopeless.