Eric Schmidt sits down with ABC4 Good4Utah to talk about borderline personality disorder. While this disorder may be known in mental health field, many people fail to recognize symptoms and warning signs of those that are effected. Along with these warning signs and patterns in behavior, Schmidt explains that symptoms can be exhibited as self destructive behavior and failed relationships.

Top 5 Warning Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder

  1. Exaggerated emotional behaviors that go on for a long period of time.
  2. Series of failed relationships.
  3. Impulsive and risky behaviors that could lead to self harm.
  4. Suicidal behaviors.
  5. Substance abuse or drug abuse.

People that exhibit a “push-pull” pattern in relationships or have a series of failed relationships may be exhibiting symptoms of borderline personality disorder. These people can be very emotive. Perhaps they have sought treatment in the past and failed to gain the recovery necessary to help them live on their own or maintain relationships. It’s important for those that are suffering from these destructive behaviors gain the help and support of a professional team to help them with the process of therapy and recovery. Many of the self destructive behaviors may be suicidal or non-suicidal self injury, like cutting, which can lead to extended hospitalization. Suicidal behaviors are not often thought of with the idea that it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. These thoughts and actions are a cry for help when the person exhibiting these symptoms feel like they are out of options and don’t know what to do.

Seek Help

For those that may be exhibiting behaviors that are self destructive, it is important to find help immediately to avoid serious injury and hospitalization. It is possible to teach those with borderline personality disorder skills to help cope with these thought patterns and behaviors. The staff at New Roads Behavioral Health have specialized training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy which was developed specifically for those with borderline personality disorder. New Roads also has a program for women affected by borderline personality disorder called WORTH. The WORTH program focuses on finding the right diagnosis and the right treatment to help ease symptoms and learn the correct skills to make recovery possible. With a transitional living program that aids clients in finding jobs, gaining an education and learning to live on their own, long term recovery is very possible.

Recovery is Possible

Borderline personality disorder is a severe mental health concern, but it is also very treatable. There have been many evidence based studies conducted and found that with the use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, an assertive community model and residential treatment with transitional programs, those that have these severe mental health conditions and disorders can recover and live on their own successfully.

See Eric Schmidt’s full interview with Nicea Degering on ABC4 Good4Utah’s website here:

http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/new-roads-program-to-treat-borderline-personality-disorder