What Are the Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Written by Nicole Schmidt
Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on May 29, 2025
8 min read

The main treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is counseling (also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy). Although there aren’t any medications specific to BPD, some can be used to manage symptoms.

Borderline personality disorder treatment has come a long way over the past few decades. Today, with the right support, many people with BPD have fewer symptoms and enjoy a much better quality of life.

“[BPD] used to be a diagnosis where people said, ‘There’s nothing to be done,’ but now there are quite a few treatments,” says Jennifer Cheavens, MD, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Ohio State University. “We’re in a much more hopeful place than we were 15 to 20 years ago.” 

The most common and effective BPD treatment is psychotherapy, also known as counseling or talk therapy. The main goal is to help you learn how to manage your emotions in healthier ways. For example, instead of reacting to a situation right away, you might learn to pause and recognize what you’re feeling (“I feel very angry right now”), then decide how you want to respond. These kinds of tools can make it easier to manage day-to-day life and relationships.

You can have counseling in a one-on-one setting with a therapist or in a group. The type of therapy your counselor recommends will depend on your symptoms and personal situation. Some of the most common types of psychotherapy for BPD include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and schema-focused therapy, among others.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

This type of therapy was created specifically to treat people with BPD. It’s especially helpful for those who have a history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. The main goal of DBT is to help you break the cycle of intense, overwhelming emotions. Your therapist will help you learn to recognize your feelings, teach you how to deal with them, and change the harmful behaviors that might be associated with them. DBT usually includes both one-on-one therapy and group sessions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. The basic idea is that the way you think about a situation affects how you feel and what you do about it. When those thoughts are negative, they can lead to unhealthy habits or behaviors. CBT helps you spot those patterns and work on changing them. Your therapist might give you simple thought exercises to try in real-life situations. Practicing these over time can help you deal with your emotions in healthier ways. CBT usually lasts about 5-15 sessions.

Schema-focused therapy

Schema-focused therapy combines different therapy techniques, including cognitive behavior therapy. It helps you understand the patterns that started in childhood and still affect how you think, feel, and behave today. It often focuses on deep emotional issues, such as:

  • Abandonment
  • Abuse
  • Anger
  • Impulsiveness
  • Emotional detachment
  • Harsh inner criticism

As with other forms of talk therapy, the goal is to help you learn to recognize these patterns, understand where they came from, and learn healthier ways to respond.

Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)

Some people with BPD might find it hard to understand their own thoughts and feelings or to see someone else’s point of view. This is called mentalizing. For example, you might have a strong urge and act on it quickly without thinking about where that feeling is coming from and if it makes sense. The goal of MBT is to help you learn to reflect on both your own thoughts and what others might be feeling before you respond. This type of borderline personality disorder treatment usually happens over 18 months and is often offered in a hospital setting.

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) focuses on your relationships, both with other people and yourself. The idea is that the way you interact with your therapist can reveal patterns in how you relate to other people in your life. During sessions, your therapist will observe your thoughts and feelings as they come up, then teach you how to respond to outside situations in healthier ways. TFP usually lasts up to a year and involves regular one-on-one sessions.

Art therapy

Therapies that involve art, music, or dance can be especially helpful if you find it hard to express your thoughts and feelings through regular talk therapy. During these sessions, you’ll use creative activities to explore your feelings. Afterward, your therapist will encourage you to reflect on what you’ve created and how it relates to your experiences.

There aren’t any medications that specifically treat BPD. But some can help manage common symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend medication as part of your treatment plan. Since depression and anxiety can be a big part of BPD, antidepressants and antianxiety medicines can be helpful. Other symptoms, such as distorted thinking, can be managed with antipsychotic medications.

Since behaviors of self-harm, such as cutting and suicide attempts, are among the symptoms of BPD, you may need to get treatment in the hospital.

Biases can sometimes affect how doctors diagnose borderline personality disorder. For example, if you come from a culture where people are more expressive, a doctor might misread your emotions as a sign of BPD — even if that’s not the case. On the other hand, if you’re from a culture where showing emotions like anger or sadness isn’t common, BPD might be harder to spot. These cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings or even misdiagnoses, which affect the type of BPD treatment you’ll get.

For many years, researchers believed that BPD was more common in women. That’s because women are more likely to seek mental health care, so they showed up more in studies done on the disorder. But current research shows that BPD affects men and women equally. Despite this, many doctors still misread the symptoms of BPD in men as antisocial behavior or anger, which means they might not get the right diagnosis or support.

It’s important for doctors to be aware of their own biases when making a diagnosis and recommending BPD treatment, Cheavens says. “For me, one of the things that helps reduce some of these biases is using structured interviews with patients,” she says. That means going through all of the criteria for BPD and asking for clear examples of symptoms and how long they’ve been happening.

Every case of borderline personality disorder is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. But finding a therapist who is knowledgeable about BPD is a good place to start. Some people do better with talk therapy, while others might find it easier to express themselves through a more creative therapy. No matter the approach, staying consistent with your BPD treatment is key. That could mean taking your medications on schedule and keeping regular therapy appointments. Over time, this kind of routine can help you feel more stable and supported.

Having a routine can help in other ways, too. Eating and sleeping at regular times tells your body what to expect and can give you a better sense of stability. Try to get some exercise each day. You don’t need to run a marathon — even a short walk can help. The key is to set small goals you can reach without feeling overwhelmed.

Try to avoid alcohol and drugs, since they can worsen your symptoms. “We know that people with BPD are really vulnerable to their emotions,” Cheavens says. “When you are using alcohol, weed, and other kinds of drugs, your decision-making is changed, which might lead to decisions that are more problematic and make you more vulnerable to intensified emotional experiences.”

Also, aim to surround yourself with people you can ask for help, whether that’s family, friends, or members of your treatment team. If you notice that certain people or situations trigger strong emotions, it’s a good idea to write them down and discuss them with your therapist. 

Finding quick ways to manage your emotions in the moment can be helpful, too. This might mean taking a cold shower or listening to music that aligns with your mood. “Do something that takes the focus off yourself in those moments,” Cheavens says.

But most importantly, be kind to yourself. Build a support system and use it. With the right tools and support, it’s possible to live a healthy, fulfilling life with BPD.

With the right treatment — whether that’s psychotherapy, medication, or a mix of both — many people with BPD can manage their symptoms and live full, healthy lives. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find the one that’s best for you. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy routines, and building a good support network can make a big difference. If you think you have BPD or are having a hard time managing your symptoms, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your options.

What’s the most effective treatment for borderline personality disorder?

The most effective borderline personality disorder treatment usually involves psychotherapy. But what works for one person might not work for another, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that fits your symptoms and needs.

Can you recover from borderline personality disorder?

There’s no cure for borderline personality disorder. But symptoms can improve or even go away completely with the right treatment.

How can I handle borderline personality disorder triggers?

Stressful or upsetting experiences can trigger BPD symptoms or make them worse. A therapist can help you learn to spot these triggers and manage your emotions in healthier ways.

Can someone with borderline personality disorder live a normal life?

Yes, someone with borderline personality disorder can live a full, healthy, and normal life with the right support and treatment.

Does borderline personality disorder get worse with age?

Borderline personality disorder symptoms are usually most intense in young adulthood and tend to improve with age.