Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and challenging mental health condition—it can be even more challenging for adolescents and their families. Emotional swings and self-harming behaviors are more than most parents can handle on their own, and seeking treatment is often the right decision. Teen BPD treatment doesn’t usually involve medication, but it often relies on talk therapy and family support.

Medication Usually Isn’t Prescribed for Adolescent BPD

While it can be safe and effective for many teens living with mental health conditions, medication is not usually the first line of treatment for BPD. While medication can help manage specific symptoms like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with BPD, it does not directly address the root causes of BPD itself. In many cases, the focus is on developing skills and building emotional resilience through therapy.

What Teen BPD Treatment Includes

A comprehensive treatment plan for adolescent BPD focuses on therapy, skill development, and support for both the teen and their family. The goal is to help young people navigate intense emotions, build healthier relationships, and develop effective coping strategies.

Crisis Risk

One of the main concerns with adolescent BPD is the increased risk of crisis behaviors, such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Treatment will address these immediate risks first, helping teens become more emotionally stable so they can begin working on developing healthier coping mechanisms for when they experience intense emotions.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is one of the most effective treatments for adolescent BPD. DBT helps teens learn to regulate their emotions, cope with distress, and build better interpersonal relationships. This therapy is structured to help young people understand and change unhelpful patterns in their thoughts and behaviors, offering them new ways to navigate life’s challenges.

Family Involvement

Family involvement is crucial when treating adolescent BPD, since it often causes strain on close relationships. Family therapy helps parents and siblings understand the condition better, improve communication, and learn how to support their loved one in positive, constructive ways. When family is involved in treatment, teens are more likely to make progress as their support system at home becomes stronger and more understanding. Family therapy can also improve a teen’s confidence in their ability to build and maintain strong relationships.

Each teen living with BPD will have a different experience and should receive a personalized treatment plan that adapts to their progress. If they quickly pick up skills and respond well to specific types of therapy, their mental health team may continue in a similar direction. However, if they continue to run into challenges, it may be time to try something new.

When to Find Help

If your teen was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, they may have already undergone treatment. Over time, though, especially if it’s gone unmanaged, symptoms can return.

Here are some signs that it’s time to find help for your teen:

• They’re having intense emotional swings
• They act impulsively or even recklessly
• You notice signs of self-harming behaviors, like scars or bruises
• They have a hard time maintaining relationships, even with close friends and family

Professional treatment is key to helping adolescents with BPD develop healthy coping mechanisms and build the skills needed to live healthier lives as they transition to adulthood.

Reach Out to Family First Today

At Family First, we understand how challenging it can be to support a teenager with BPD. Our team is here to help your family navigate this journey with compassion and expertise. With tailored treatment plans that include individual and family therapy, crisis management, and a focus on skill-building, we are committed to helping adolescents develop the tools they need to thrive. If you’re ready to learn more, contact Family First online or at 888.904.5947 today for support and guidance.