Challenges Facing those with BPD and their Families
“BPD involves intense shifting feelings that can lead to terrible emotional pain and hopelessness.”
Co-Occurring Disorders. BPD often co-occurs with other diagnoses, including substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, anxiety or depression.
Misdiagnosis. BPD can be misdiagnosed because many health care professionals lack training in personality disorders. This makes it difficult for them to recognize the symptoms, make a proper diagnosis, and refer to evidence-based treatments for BPD.
Stigma & Shame. The experience of stigma is common for the individual with BPD. Lack of understanding of BPD leads to the misconception that people with this disorder are manipulative, difficult, or treatment resistant. This stigma can be shaming and can prevent those suffering from accessing support and mental health care.
Economic Burden. There are five evidence-based treatments for BPD. These treatments are not widely available, can be cost-prohibitive, and are often not covered by health insurance. This puts a tremendous financial burden on families as many feel struggle to pay out-of-pocket for life-saving treatments such as lengthy hospital stays, residential care, and outpatient treatment.
Community Support & Education. There is a serious lack of community support, resources, and education for individuals given a BPD diagnosis and their families. They are frequently not educated about the disorder and lack the skills needed to manage the symptoms of the disorder. This can put a tremendous strain on families.
