This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional. If this is an emergency, call 911 or 988.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a treatable mental health condition that affects how a person experiences emotions, relationships, and their own sense of self. People with BPD often feel emotions very intensely, fear being abandoned, and struggle with a shifting self-image and unstable relationships. None of this means a person is “broken” or beyond help — BPD responds well to the right therapy, and many people recover and go on to live full, stable lives.
This guide explains what BPD is, what it looks like, why it develops, and the proven options that help. If you are ready to act, start with treatment options for BPD.
Your treatment options
BPD is treated primarily with structured talk therapy, and the outlook is genuinely hopeful. You and a professional choose from a few proven building blocks:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) — first-line. DBT was developed specifically for BPD and is the most studied, most recommended approach. It teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships. See therapy for BPD for how it and other approaches work.
- Other evidence-based therapies. Several structured therapies beyond DBT also help. A clinician matches the approach to your needs.
- Medication — a supporting role. No medication treats BPD itself, but a prescriber may use one to ease specific symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings. See BPD medication.
- Levels of care. Most treatment happens in regular outpatient visits; more intensive programs exist when symptoms are severe. Our treatment guides explain the differences.
Not sure where to begin? A short, no-pressure conversation can help you sort out the options.
What happens when you call
If you use the helpline on this page, here is exactly what to expect:
- A trained specialist answers and asks a few questions about what you are going through and the kind of help you want.
- It is a no-obligation conversation — there is no requirement to enter treatment, and you can stop any time.
- They can help you understand options, including cost and insurance.
- This is an advertising-supported service: calls are answered by a paid advertiser, not by Get Mental Help. If you would rather not use it, the free SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are always available at no cost.
Check in on your symptoms
Not sure whether what you are feeling fits BPD? Take a private, two-minute, non-diagnostic BPD self-check. Nothing is saved, and it can help you decide whether to reach out.
Find help in your state
Options, costs, and coverage differ by state. Use Find Help by State for your state’s mental-health agency, Medicaid coverage, crisis lines, and free or low-cost options — part of our State of Mental Health Access data.
What treatment costs
Cost depends on the type of care, your insurance, and where you live, so there is no single number. A few things that help:
- Insurance and Medicaid generally cover mental health treatment; the details vary by plan and state.
- Free and low-cost options exist everywhere — 988, the free SAMHSA National Helpline, community mental health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and sliding-scale clinics.
- A specialist or your state’s resources can help you find care that fits your budget.
From our clinical review. BPD carries a lot of stigma, and that stigma keeps people from getting care that genuinely works. The single most important thing to know is that this is one of the most treatable conditions we see — people who feel hopeless at the start often look back and barely recognize how far they have come.
You do not have to navigate this alone. Reaching out is not a commitment — it is just the first step toward feeling better.
Frequently asked questions
Is borderline personality disorder treatable?
Yes. BPD is one of the more treatable personality disorders. Evidence-based talk therapies such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help most people, and research shows that symptoms often ease significantly over time. Recovery is realistic — many people go on to build stable relationships and meaningful lives.
What is the main treatment for borderline personality disorder?
Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment. DBT is a leading, first-line approach designed specifically for BPD, and other structured therapies also help. Medication is not a primary treatment but is sometimes used to address specific symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, alongside therapy.
What does borderline personality disorder feel like?
Many people describe intense emotions that shift quickly, a deep fear of abandonment, an unstable sense of who they are, and relationships that swing between closeness and conflict. These experiences are real and painful — and they respond to treatment.
Sources
- Borderline Personality Disorder — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Borderline Personality Disorder — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Personality Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Personality Disorders — American Psychological Association (APA)
Reviewed against the sources above. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.