Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Many people ask themselves, “Why do my emotions feel so intense and unpredictable?” or “Why do my relationships seem so unstable?”
Feeling emotions deeply is a normal part of being human, but for some individuals, these emotions can feel overwhelming, frequent, and difficult to manage, affecting daily life and relationships. In these cases, it may be helpful to explore whether a pattern of emotional sensitivity and instability could be linked to conditions such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Understanding BPD can provide clarity, reduce stigma, and help individuals and their loved ones find the right support and hope for a better quality of life.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects how a person thinks and feels about themselves and others.
People with BPD often struggle with intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviours, and a shaky sense of self. These patterns can make everyday life challenging and lead to difficulties in work, family and friendships.
Symptoms Of Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD symptoms can be grouped into four main areas:
1. Emotional Instability
Intense mood swings, feelings of emptiness, anger, shame, or panic.
2. Disturbed Thinking Or Perception
Unstable self-image, paranoia, or feeling disconnected from reality.
3. Impulsive Behaviour
Risky activities, binge eating, reckless spending, or substance misuse.
4. Unstable Relationships
Intense but short-lived relationships, fear of abandonment, and shifting between idealising and devaluing others.
Other common signs include self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and difficulty trusting others
Causes Of Borderline Personality Disorder
- Genetics:
BPD tends to run in families, and studies of twins and families estimate that about 40% of the risk is inherited. This means that having a close relative with BPD or other mental health conditions can increase your chances, but genes alone do not determine who develops BPD. - Environmental factors:
One of the most well-established risks for BPD is experiencing trauma in childhood, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, or growing up in a chaotic or invalidating environment. These experiences can shape how a person learns to manage emotions and relationships later in life. - Gene-Environment Interaction:
Most experts agree that it is the combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors, especially in early life, that most strongly predicts BPD. For example, someone with a genetic risk may only develop BPD if they also experience significant trauma or adversity. - Brain Differences:
Research using brain scans shows that people with BPD may have differences in areas of the brain that control emotions and impulses, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. These differences may be shaped by both genes and early experiences and can affect how people with BPD respond to stress and relationships. - Other Factors:
Family dynamics, such as having parents with mental health issues or unstable relationships, can also contribute by modelling unhealthy ways of coping or relating to others.
Difference Between BPD And Bipolar Disorder
While both BPD and bipolar disorder involve mood changes and impulsivity, they are different conditions.
BPD is a personality disorder marked by rapid mood swings, often triggered by events or relationships, unstable self-image, and intense fear of abandonment. Mood changes in BPD can last for minutes to hours and are usually linked to interpersonal stress.
Bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is a mood disorder, defined by episodes of depression and mania (periods of high energy, little need for sleep, and risky behaviour) that last days to weeks. These mood episodes are not always tied to life events and are less frequent but more prolonged.
When To Seek Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing intense mood swings, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviours, or thoughts of self-harm, it may be worth seeking help from a mental health professional.
Early support can make a big difference. If there are thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek emergency help immediately.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
Many people with BPD see significant improvement with the right support:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps to recognise and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness and validation strategies, teaching skills in four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy targets lifelong maladaptive patterns, called schemas, formed in childhood. Techniques include cognitive restructuring, experiential exercises, and limited reparenting to replace unhealthy coping styles with adaptive behaviours. It reduces symptoms by addressing core emotional needs.
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Borderline Personality Disorder
What is a borderline personality disorder person like?
Someone with BPD may feel emotions more deeply and quickly than others. They might have a hard time managing anger, feel empty or lonely, and be very sensitive to rejection or abandonment. Relationships may be intense but unstable, and they may act impulsively or struggle with self-image.
How is BPD diagnosed?
BPD is diagnosed by a mental health professional using guidelines from the DSM-5. Diagnosis involves a detailed interview, questionnaires, and a review of symptoms and history. At least five out of nine specific criteria must be met, such as unstable relationships, impulsive behaviour, and emotional instability
What happens if BPD is not addressed?
If not addressed, BPD symptoms can become more severe and lead to ongoing emotional pain, unstable relationships, job loss, substance misuse, self-harm, or suicidal behaviour. Early and ongoing treatment can greatly improve quality of life and reduce these risks
What are the 4 types of borderline personality disorder?
The Four Types of BPD are:
- Affective BPD
- Impulsive BPD
- Aggressive BPD