![]() ![]() Possible side effects of anticonvulsants include nausea, fatigue, and feelings of slowed or fuzzy thinking. These act as mood stabilizers and may help improve impulse control and aggression. To improve these symptoms, a medical provider may prescribe anticonvulsants, as these are effective treatments for bipolar disorder. People with BPD usually experience rapid mood swings and feelings of self-harm similar to those experienced by people with bipolar disorder. Side effects of taking antipsychotics include dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and weight gain (which can lead to diabetes). Mental health professionals usually prescribe second-generation antipsychotics because, compared with first-generation antipsychotics, these medications have less risk of severe side effects like movement disorders.Įxamples of second-generation antipsychotics include olanzapine, risperidone, cariprazine, ziprasidone, and paliperidone. AntipsychoticsĪntipsychotics may help to reduce hostility, impulsivity, and rapid and intense mood swings typical of BPD. However, other options are often tried first since tricyclic antidepressants can have serious side effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), can help improve depression symptoms associated with BPD.Īnd the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline showed improvements in symptoms of BPD that were not related to major depression. There are several studies on the effectiveness of antidepressants for treating BPD. Major depressive disorder is a mental health condition that frequently coexists with BPD.Īntidepressants are often prescribed to help alleviate the symptoms of depression, such as low mood, sadness, and anxiety. The following drug classes are frequently prescribed. The drugs used to treat BPD are used off-label since no drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specifically treating the condition. However, medication is never a standalone treatment option for BPD and is typically used alongside psychotherapy. Medicines can help manage severe BPD symptoms such as anxiety and depression, and possibly treat coexisting conditions. Medications for Borderline Personality Disorder The symptoms of these other conditions may interfere with a proper diagnosis.Ĭare must be taken to rule out these conditions or acknowledge that they can happen simultaneously. Sometimes questionnaires to assess for psychiatric conditions may inaccurately label people with BPD as having bipolar disorder.īPD often co-exists with anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. People who do not have BPD may at some points in their lives have any one of these symptoms.īut people with BPD typically experience extreme forms of many of these symptoms, and the symptoms typically occur during the same timeframe. Some of the symptoms a provider will look for include: The provider may also use questionnaires or interview other medical providers who have treated the patient. To diagnose a patient, a medical provider will discuss the person’s medical history and symptoms. Only a psychological evaluation by a doctor or mental health provider can diagnose BPD. There is no laboratory test to confirm whether a person has the condition. The first step in treating BPD is a correct diagnosis. I’ll explain precautions to take, possible side effects of prescribed medications, and the treatment and recovery processes.įinally, I’ll explore when to see a doctor or mental health professional. In this article, I’ll discuss the diagnosis of BPD and the different classes of medications that may be prescribed. This condition is not uncommon and affects up to 1.4% of adults in the United States.Īlthough psychotherapy is the primary treatment for BPD, your doctor or mental health provider may add medication to your treatment plan to help with particular symptoms. People with borderline personality disorder usually have difficult relationships with others and may have a history of experiencing trauma. This leads to heightened impulsivity linked to self-harm and suicide. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a long-term mental health condition characterized by extreme mood, self-image, and behavior changes. ![]()
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