Being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or suspecting that you might have BPD can be an unsettling time in your life. Getting needed BPD treatment might seem daunting or just downright impossible. But if you follow these simple steps, you will soon find your way to recovery.
STEP ONE: You have to want BPD treatment
Imagine a sports team asking their coach how they can win a big victory. We might imagine that coach saying, emphatically, “You have to want it!” The same is true for BPD treatment — if you want to be victorious, you have to really want change.
For many people, termination from a job they love or the break up of a long-term relationship can signal a need to take responsibility for their Borderline Personality Disorder behavior. When we realize that we’ll lose all we have, or we’ve already lost it, we are more likely to be deeply and sincerely motivated to change for the better.
STEP TWO: Contact your primary care physician
If you have a general physician or family doctor, they may not know much about Borderline Personality Disorder. However, it is likely that that they do know a few good psychologists or psychiatrists that can at least help you get the ball rolling when it comes to finding good BPD treatment.
It is also useful for your physician to know that you are dealing with BPD in order to treat other health issues more comprehensively. Your doctor may also prescribe you medication if you are dealing with anxiety or depression.
STEP THREE: Call your insurance provider
If you have health insurance of any kind, it may be helpful to call or email them to get specific information about what BPD treatment they can cover and what will have to come out of your pocket. A representative from your insurance company may also be able to help you locate a therapist or Borderline Personality Disorder treatment center.
STEP FOUR: Find a BPD treatment center
If your primary care doctor or insurance company cannot recommend a Borderline Personality Disorder treatment center for you, you can always investigate yourself. Do a search online for BPD treatment centers near you, or that offer the type of treatment you need, and make some phone calls. Most BPD treatment centers will allow you to tour their facility before making a decision to admit.
STEP FIVE: Be persistent
If you are committed to your success in managing Borderline Personality Disorder, you will find success. This may require many phone calls, office visits, budgeting, and many gradual changes to your life – but it can happen.
One note of caution: Some therapists do not work with patients who have Borderline Personality Disorder. Do not take this personally. This is often because patients with BPD have a high rate of attrition – that is, dropping out – of therapy, and some therapists just don’t feel equipped to treat BPD, or they haven’t been specifically trained in BPD treatment. If you are serious about improving your life, there are good therapists out there who can help you.