Borderline personality disorder (BDP) is a complex mental health condition.
The term BPD is used as a way of grouping a set of symptoms to identify and refer towards appropriate treatment. The name does not describe the experiences of living with BPD. It is important to remember you are not your diagnosis but an understanding what is going on can help you move forward and focus on treatment and recovery.
BPD refers to a particular set of difficulties that affects a person’s sense of self, their emotions and their relationships. It is usual to experience relationship and emotional highs and lows. A diagnosis of BPD is reached based on an assessment of these difficulties over time and across a range of situations. These difficulties affect the person's ability to get on with living their life.
BPD symptoms
The Australian BPD Foundation explains that a person with BPD may experience challenges and difficulties in a number of ways.
Emotions: having intense or unstable emotions that are overwhelming and very difficult or painful to experience. As a result, you may turn to other ways to cope with these emotions that may not be helpful.
Relationships: experiencing rapidly changing feelings may affect your relationships and make navigating them confusing. Loss and separation can be extremely confusing.
Perceived impulsivity: experiencing difficulty with managing impulses and taking part in harmful behaviours.
Unstable sense of self: these emotions and experiences can make people feel very uncertain about themselves and develop a lack of trust.
BPD and coexisting conditions
Borderline personality disorder may also be associated with other conditions:
eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating
Because of the complex nature of these conditions we recommend seeking help from a qualified health professional who understands the importance of correctly diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Treatment options
We offer a variety of inpatient programs and day programs.
Your treatment may involve medications, psychotherapies, exercise, nutrition and pastoral care as well as group or individual sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
We offer cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which can help people with borderline personality disorder reduce suicidal behaviour, self-harm, alcohol and drug misuse, anger and depression.
Our patient program gives you intensive support to help manage strong emotions associated with this condition.
What to expect?
When you choose to access BPD treatment as an inpatient you will generally stay in hospital for 21 days. You may also access our general inpatient care where your length of stay is determined by your health care needs and through discussion with your treating team.
As an inpatient, you will have access to care, support, understanding and treatment. We offer DBT as our primary therapy option but work closely with you to ensure you get the care that is right for you.
You will also have access to a mix of individual and group-based therapies.
Referrals and costs
A GP referral is required to access our inpatient personality disorder treatment programs.
Most private health insurers cover the costs of enrolling in our programs and excess, or co-payment may be payable depending on your level of cover.
Care is also available through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Work Cover. Self-funded patients are welcome.
Interested in our personality disorder inpatient program?
To make an enquiry please fill in the form below.
Personality disorders often require ongoing care and support to help
Our day programs provide the continual assistance so you can manage your condition once you return home or to support you without needing a hospital stay.
What to expect?
Our day group programs for BPD run almost year-round and are designed to suit your specific needs and requirements.
You can access our day group programs after a stay in hospital or through a referral from your GP. It may also be offered in the lead up to a hospital stay.
Make an enquiry to find out more.
Referrals and costs
A referral from your GP is needed to access our day group programs.
Private health insurers may cover the costs involved with enrolling in our programs. Any excess and/or co-payment depends on your level of cover.
We can provide care through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Work Cover. We also welcome self-funded patients.
Interested in our personality disorder treatment day group program?
To make an enquiry please fill in the form below.
You can choose to see one of our psychiatrists who specialises in helping people with bpd. You can see a psychiatrist for individual appointments, in combination with a day program or as an inpatient.
What to expect?
Our psychiatrists will keep you informed about your rights regarding confidentiality, speak with you about your wellbeing, and work with you to develop a plan towards recovery. This plan can involve therapy and/or medication.
Referrals and costs
A referral from a general practitioner is required to see a private psychiatrist.
There is often a one-off fee for your first appointment. We recommend you call your psychiatrist's rooms to check this cost before your appointment.
If your psychiatrist recommends you enrol in one of our anxiety treatment programs, the costs of these programs may be covered by most private health insurers. Any excess and/or co-payment depends on your level of cover.
Interested in an appointment with a private psychiatrist?
