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What is EUPD
(EUPD), also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD), can bring many complications. It can seem like you’ve lost all control of your thoughts, feelings and ability to manage your responsibilities. The emotional highs and lows can be difficult and you may often feel isolated, finding it difficult to connect with people. If you are struggling to cope with these symptoms, we can help you to manage their impact on your life.
Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) is the most common type of personality disorder. It usually causes you to experience intense and fluctuating emotions, which can last for anywhere between a few hours and several days at a time. These emotions can range from extreme happiness, euphoria and self-belief, to crushing feelings of sadness and worthlessness.
Signs and symptoms of EUPD
Common signs and symptoms of emotionally unstable personality disorder If you think you’re struggling with emotionally unstable personality disorder, you’ll likely be struggling with some of the symptoms listed below:
Impulsivity
- Mood swings
- An overwhelming fear of abandonment
- Extreme anxiety and irritability
- Anger
- Paranoia and being suspicious of other people
- Feeling empty, hopeless and worthless
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-harm
- Having a pattern of unstable or shallow relationships
- Rapidly changing your opinions of other people
- Dissociation (feeling as though you have lost touch with reality)
- High-quality EUPD treatment, whatever your situation
Talking to someone about what you’re enduring is the first step to feeling significant relief from the burden of your condition. It can take a huge toll on your wellbeing to live with something that nobody else knows about, hiding the true extent of how it feels every day. Our mental health team at Priory will treat you with the utmost compassion and empathy, taking immediate steps to lessen the strain you feel from living with EUPD.
Problems and self-care
What risks and complications can EUPD cause?
Self-harm
It is common for people who live with borderline personality disorder (BPD) to self-harm.
A focus of some BPD treatment is to find other ways to deal with painful emotions other than self-harming.
Suicide
People who live with BPD are more at risk of suicide or of attempting suicide.
Drugs and alcohol
People who live with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may drink or use drugs in a way that’s harmful.
Alcohol or illegal drug use is a risk factor for suicide.
You might live with BPD and:
- be supported by an NHS secondary mental health service, and
- be dependence on alcohol or drugs.
Impulsive behaviours
When people make decisions quickly without thinking about what might happen, this is known as being impulsive.
Some people who live with BPD can impulses they find hard to control. Like binge drinking, drug misuse, going on a spending or gambling spree.
What can I do to help manage my symptoms?
You can try to help your symptoms by looking after yourself. Self-care is how you take care of things like your diet, sleep, exercise, daily routine, relationships and how you are feeling.
What are breathing exercises?
Breathing exercises can help make you feel calmer and reduce stress. You will get the most benefit if you do them regularly, as part of your daily routine.
Breathing exercises usually benefit wellbeing. But if they aren’t working for you, or are causing you difficulty, stop using them. You can try other relaxation techniques.
Below are some exercises you can try:
- Slow breathing
- Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
- Keep your back straight and your shoulders back.
- Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
- Think about how your breathing feels in your body.
- Can you feel it coming in through your nostrils?
- Can you feel it going down your throat, into your lungs?
- Slow down your breathing as much as you can.
- You may find it useful to count as you inhale and exhale.
- See if you can expand your exhale, to make it longer than your inhale.
- Can you feel your chest expanding?
- What about your belly?
- If you start to have upsetting thoughts, try bringing your focus back to your breathing.
- Box breathing
Breathing Excercises Continued.
Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
Put on some relaxing music if you want.
Take one deep breath in and out.
Breathe in for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Breathe out for 6 seconds.
Hold your breath for 2 seconds.
Repeat this cycle for 5-10 minutes.
4-5-8 method
Start by sitting up straight in a comfortable position or lying down.
Slowly breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds. If you can’t breathe in through your nose, use your mouth.
Hold your breath for 5 seconds.
Breathe out slowly for 8 seconds.
Repeat this cycle 10 times, or as many times as you want. While you do it try to concentrate on your breathing. You can alter the second counts to suit you.