Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that is complex and often misunderstood. There are four medically accepted forms of BPD. An individual can have more than one type of BPD in their lifetime, and it may change and evolve at different stages of life.
People with borderline personality disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions, which often interferes with their ability to have stable relationships. These emotional ups and downs often cause one to engage in impulsive behavior as well. Although these characteristics are consistent across the four types of BPD, other symptoms like anger and aggression will vary significantly.
Discouraged Borderline Personality Disorder
Discouraged BPD is what is more commonly known as “quiet borderline personality disorder.” This type of the condition often causes an individual to keep their emotions and mood changes internalized.
Individuals with discouraged borderline personality disorder may be:
- High functioning
- Lacking strong friendships or bonds
- Pushed to produce perfection
- Experiencing feelings of alienation in groups
- Engaging in self-harming or suicidal behaviors
- Seeking approval
- Feeling lonely
Although people with discouraged BPD may be internalizing their feelings, that does not minimize how difficult they are to experience.
Common signs of discouraged borderline personality disorder that are less internalized include:
- Neediness
- Clinginess
- Anger
- Emotional mood swings
- Codependency
People with discouraged BPD may keep their thoughts and feelings internalized, which means it may be harder to spot symptoms. If you spot signs of discouraged BPD in a loved one, reach out to Alter Behavioral Health to learn how to open the conversation and encourage treatment for them.
Impulsive BPD
Impulsive behavior is one of the main symptoms of all borderline personality disorder types. However, with impulsive BPD the impulses are more intense and harder to control.
Impulsive borderline personality disorder may cause people to be:
- Energetic
- Charismatic
- Detached or elusive
- Motivated
- Engaging
The impulsive behaviors may come in the form of aggression, binging behaviors, and risky actions. These may come in the form of physical fights, overspending, binge eating, driving under the influence, gambling, and even drug use.
Petulant Borderline Personality Disorder
Petulant BPD has more emphasis on emotional mood swings. People with this type of the condition may be angry one moment and sad the next. Petulant BPD makes an individual feel unloved or unworthy easily, leading to a need for control and relationship issues.
Individuals struggling with petulant borderline personality disorder may exhibit manipulative behaviors, and may self sabotage relationships.
Common signs of petulant BPD include:
- Severe mood swings
- Impatience
- Irritability
- Passive aggressiveness
- Defiance for authority
- Stubbornness
Petulant borderline personality disorder results in an individual being more on the down or sad end of the spectrum. This type of BPD may come across as a “bad attitude,” when in reality it is a complex mental health condition that requires treatment.
Self-Destructive BPD
Individuals with self-destructive borderline personality disorder will have intense feelings of self-hatred. They often let this affect their mood and relationships.
Signs and symptoms of self-destructive BPD include but are not limited to:
- Self-harm behaviors
- Substance abuse
- Risk or impulsive behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Lack of ability or interest in sleeping
- Increased energy
- Feelings of euphoria
As with other types of the condition, self-destructive BPD will also cause symptoms of mood swings and emotional regulation.
Treating BPD
Often, clients with BPD have already been to treatment a number of times to deal with urges of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and attention seeking behaviors. At Alter Behavioral Health, we use proven techniques to help these clients live fuller lives without as many debilitating symptoms.
Some of the treatment modalities we use for borderline personality disorder include:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Medication Management
- Solution Focused Therapy
Each client is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. We use research backed, medically supported treatment methods to ensure clients with different types of BPD get the right care they need to live a balanced, healthy life. If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of quiet BPD, give our admissions team a call. We have the tools needed to help you or your loved one get their condition managed and stabilized.
About Alter
Alter is a behavioral healthcare provider that specializes in evidence-based clinical treatment approaches. We provide a wide range of programs for adults and families experiencing mental health conditions including schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. This is done through client-centered care for a full-continuum of treatment. We serve the entire U.S. population from our revolutionary locations throughout sunny Southern California. Whether an individual needs 24/7 care or wants an outpatient program – we are there to guide every step of the journey. For more information, give us a call at (877) 613-9776 or visit our website at alterbehavioralhealth.com.
