What is Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder?

Have you ever heard of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)?

It’s not one of those disorders you hear about very often, but it’s a real thing that affects many people’s lives.

Unlike some of the more commonly known personality disorders like antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders, EUPD is characterised by intense emotions and difficulty regulating them.

Unfortunately, this disorder also comes with an increased risk of suicide.

Here in this blog, we’ll dive deep into what Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder is, the symptoms, and why the risk of suicide is so high for those diagnosed.

Stick around until the end for some great resources if you or someone you know is struggling with EUPD. Let’s get started!

What is Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder?

Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, also known as borderline personality disorder, is a mental health condition characterised by a pattern of intense and unstable emotions, relationships, and self-image.

Individuals with this disorder may experience sudden shifts in mood, have a distorted sense of self, and exhibit impulsive behaviours.

Some common symptoms of emotionally unstable personality disorder include:

Fear of abandonment
Chronic feelings of emptiness
Black and white thinking
Frequent mood swings
Reckless behaviour

This disorder can have a significant impact on an individual’s relationships, work, and overall quality of life. While there is no known cure for EUPD, treatment can help manage symptoms through therapy and medication management.

Understanding The Risk Factors For Developing EUPD:

As we previously discussed, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder is a mental health condition that can make it difficult for individuals to regulate their emotions and interact with others in a healthy manner.

Some known risk factors for developing this disorder include:

A family history of mental illness
Childhood trauma
Environmental stressors
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
Disrupted family life

While there is evidence to suggest that genetics may play a role in its development, the disorder is thought to be mainly influenced by environmental factors such as neglect or abuse.

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences these risk factors will develop Borderline Personality Disorder, but those who are at risk should seek professional help if they experience symptoms such as impulsivity, mood swings, and unstable relationships.

How Does EUPD Impact a Person’s Capacity For Relationships & Other Aspects Of Life?

Living with emotionally unstable personality disorder creates a lot of turbulence in a person’s life, especially their relationships and daily interactions.

Those with EUPD might have an incredibly strong, passionate personality that’s hard to manage. The intensity of their emotions could be overwhelming and erratic, making it difficult for the individual to develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships with others.

This might create a sense of loneliness or isolation, and, as a result, the person might feel angry or resentful, which causes an upsurge in their emotions.

Understandably, this emotional rollercoaster can negatively impact the overall quality of life, and one’s capacity to manage it.

People with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder require extra support, attention, and understanding for them to lead a stable and fulfilling life.

Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Suicide:

Did you know that people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are at a higher risk for suicide?

One in ten people with BPD die by suicide, which is similar to the rate for people with Schizophrenia and major mood disorders.

However, BPD affects 2-3% of the population while Schizophrenia affects only 1%. This means that the rate of suicide is 2-3 times greater for people with BPD.

Unfortunately, it’s not always preventable and may happen when treatment doesn’t work. This might be due to other conditions such as substance abuse, eating disorders, or impulsive behaviour that can lead to diseases like AIDS.

Why Have Suicide Rates Been Found To Be High In People With EUPD?

Individuals with BPD are highly sensitive and often experience immense emotional pain. They may struggle to cope with the intensity of these feelings and may resort to impulsive actions to communicate their distress.

Suicide attempts, therefore, are a way of expressing their pain, and it’s important to know that it’s an indicator of a deep attachment to significant others, family members, or therapists.

Unfortunately, hospitalization after a suicide attempt is not always effective and may even reinforce dependent behaviours that therapy is trying to mitigate. Not only this, but hospitalisation often provides attention and reinforcement of negative behaviours that exacerbate the issue.

Additionally, people with EUPD often struggle with self-harm behaviours as a way to cope with their intense emotions, which can further increase their risk for suicide. It’s a complex issue that requires proper diagnosis, treatment, and care from mental health professionals.

Approaches That Can Help Manage EUPD and Minimize the Risk of Suicide:

If you or someone you know has Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and is at risk of suicide, there are several approaches that can help.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT):

One option is dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). With a focus on emotional regulation and interpersonal communication, DBT helps patients to identify unhelpful or destructive thought patterns and behaviours, and replace them with healthy coping mechanisms.

Through individual and group therapy sessions, patients can learn distress tolerance and mindfulness techniques that enable them to better manage their emotions and navigate challenging situations.

Additionally, DBT emphasises the importance of interpersonal relationships and provides patients with strategies for building and maintaining healthy connections with others.

Cognitive B behaviour Therapy (CBT):

Another approach is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Unlike dialectical behavioural therapy, CBT focuses more on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.

By learning how to recognize and challenge negative thinking, individuals with BPD can gain a better sense of control over their emotions and reactions.

Additionally, CBT can help improve communication skills and foster healthier relationships. Although it may require some effort and dedication, incorporating CBT into a treatment plan for EUPD can be a game-changer for those looking to manage their condition.

Medication can also be helpful in treating symptoms such as anxiety and depression. It’s important to remember that recovery is a journey, and seeking professional help is key. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.

Resources Available To Support Individuals Living With EUPD:

Living with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder can be challenging. However, there are resources available to support individuals.

One such resource is Borderline Support UK, a charity that offers information, support, and advice for those struggling with EUPD.

This organisation provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others who are going through similar situations.

In addition, they offer online resources, such as webinars and support groups, to assist those who may not have access to in-person resources. By seeking out these resources, individuals with EUPD can feel empowered to take control of their lives and manage their symptoms.

Another wonderful resource is borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org .

When it comes to managing and living with EUPD (or borderline personality disorder), having access to resources and support can make all the difference.

That’s why it’s so great that they’ve compiled a long list of resources available online and in print, perfect for both individuals struggling with EUPD and their loved ones who want to understand and support them better.

From websites to books and even support groups and hotlines, there’s a wealth of information and guidance at your fingertips. And don’t forget, asking for help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.

Private Mental Healthcare at Orchestrate Health

Orchestrate supports patients with complex mental health needs, enabling them to be cared for online and/or at home by providing live-in mental health specialists, home assessments and daily visits from professionals within the mental health field.

We are committed to ensuring patients receive the highest standards of care available.

Contact us today to start your EUPD treatment journey with Orchestrate Health.