Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder in Teenage Girls
Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder in Teenage Girls
Blog Article
There are unique signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder in teenage girls, and they’re worth knowing if you’re a parent who is concerned about their teen daughter’s troubling behaviors.
At Paradigm Treatment, we offer mental health care for teens in safe and supportive residential settings across the U.S. Read on to learn how borderline personality disorder shows up in teenage girls, plus tips for getting your teen the help she needs.
What Does BPD Look Like in Teen Girls?
It’s estimated that around 3% of adolescents meet the diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder or BPD. And study after study shows that girls are at a much higher risk of developing the disorder than boys.
For a teenage girl, BPD can look much the same as traditional teenage angst, with common characteristics that include emotional instability, struggles with self-image, and intense relationships. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the hormonal changes and social pressures that are par for the course in adolescence and may be made worse by co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Key Signs of BPD in a Teenage Girl
Borderline personality disorder shows up differently from person to person. However, a borderline teenage girl will generally present with one or more of the following BPD signs and symptoms, all of which should be addressed by parents and, if necessary, a qualified mental health professional.
- Intense, often outsized emotional reactions and extreme sensitivity to criticism or rejection
- Fear of abandonment and desperate efforts to avoid being left out or rejected
- Unstable relationships with rapid shifts between idealizing and devaluing others
- Self-harming behaviors such as cutting, burning, or trichotillomania
- Chronic feelings of emptiness, persistent sadness, or disconnection
- Impulsive and risky behaviors such as reckless driving or substance abuse
- Identify confusion and difficulties in understanding their self-worth
Social and Mental Health Challenges for a Borderline Teenage Girl
For your teenage daughter, borderline personality disorder can have a major impact on both her mental health and social life, especially when it comes to personal relationships and self-esteem. BPD can also make it difficult to focus in school and stay on top of homework. Many teens with BPD struggle with a lack of motivation or interest in school, and this can lead to worsening school performance, absenteeism, or outright school refusal.
In terms of mental health, BPD may appear alongside other disorders such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or substance use disorder. If you’re seeking treatment for a teen girl with BPD, it’s important to work with a provider who specializes in borderline personality disorder along with co-occurring disorders and who can help manage these conditions on their own and as a dual diagnosis.
Supporting Your Teenage Daughter with Borderline Personality Disorder
Life as a teen girl isn’t easy, and BPD certainly doesn’t make it any easier.
As parents or caregivers to a teen girl with borderline personality disorder, you have an incredibly important role in helping your child work through the challenges of BPD and develop healthy, lifelong coping skills. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including:
- Encouraging Open Communication: Build trust with your daughter by actively listening to her problems and providing emotional support without judgment.
- Foster Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Journaling, mindfulness, and creative hobbies are just three examples of coping mechanisms that can make it easier to navigate life with BPD.
- Set Boundaries: Borderline teen girls benefit greatly from clear and consistent rules and expectations.
- Seek Professional Help: Effective help for teen BPD is available, including individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, and residential treatment.
Importance of Early Intervention in Teen Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
Early intervention is crucial when it comes to borderline personality disorder in teenage girls and could help reduce symptoms, prevent the development of co-occurring conditions, and lead to better mental health outcomes over time.
Types of therapy that can be helpful for treating BPD in adolescent girls include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and peer support programs. Look for programs targeted to the needs of teens since treating BPD in young people can look different than treating it in adults. You need a provider who understands the interplay of cognitive development and borderline disorder and who can work with your teen daughter’s natural strengths as she proceeds along the path to recovery.
Recognize the Signs of BPD in a Teen Girl? We Can Help
Emotional instability, unregulated emotions, and impulsive behaviors are par for the course in the teenage years. But if these problems are intense and persistent, your daughter could be dealing with more than standard teen troubles. The role of parental support and professional treatment in addressing BPD in a teen girl cannot be overstated. Please contact us for individual guidance on managing BPD, or explore our website for additional resources related to borderline disorder in teens. Report this page