How to Seek Therapy for Family Members With BPD

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an intense mental illness that can be trying for the patient's family members. BPD is a disorder that involves violent mood swings, suicidal tendencies and intense internal anguish. It is rather difficult to seek therapy for someone who has BPD unless he wants to get the help himself.

Instructions

1. Take care of yourself. It is very easy for the family members of a person with borderline personality disorder to believe they can actually help the patient themselves. You want to be able to do something to help your loved one and the best thing you can do for the patient is to help yourself.

2. Talk with a mental illness practitioner about seeing your loved one, if your BPD patient is willing to go to therapy. Find a practitioner you believe would be a good fit for your family member. No one knows the BPD patient better than you, so you can be a good judge of who can do the most good.

3. Bring your loved one to the mental health center the moment he says he needs and wants help. Many BPD patients often say they want treatment one minute and then throw a violent rage the next and no longer want help. You need to act in the moment. No matter what you're doing when he claims to want help, drop everything and drive your family member to see the therapist.

4. Get your BPD loved one to rest or even sleep in the car on the way to the mental health center. This is a very sensitive time, especially if he's known for going through violent mood swings and changes his mind frequently. Getting your family member to take a nap or relax and listen to music is the best way to get him to the center.

5. Encourage the center to find an in-patient treatment program, if your family member has a severe case. This will be your best bet for him to truly get better. If he has a less-severe case, you may be able to get away with out-patient therapy.