If your friend or family member has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, here are some tips to help you cope and maintain the relationship.

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. What the heck does dialectical mean anyway? Dialectic is a word that describes how both the thesis and the antithesis of a perspective can both be true. Put another way, for every statement or interpretation, there exists an opposite. A dialectical stance holds that both of these opposites can be simultaneously true. In fact, in DBT we often describe dialectics as two opposing truths.

A quick Google search demonstrates people are divided on whether the social media platform Instagram is harmful. Instagram has been accused of driving an increase in anxiety and depression amongst young people, spreading rampant fear of missing out (FOMO), and contributing to what Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) therapists refers to as “contagious behaviors,” defined as behaviors that, if talked about openly, may create or increase that urge in other people.

Validation is a key concept in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). To validate means to acknowledge the validity in what someone else is saying, or feeling. Validation is important in every relationship, and it is thought that parental invalidation can be damaging to children (sometimes contributing to the development of borderline personality disorder). It is also an important skill with teach in DBT skills class.

As a therapist who specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are the focus of my work. Like most therapists I know who also specialize in DBT, I have so much compassion for people who work so hard to improve their lives, achieve their goals and build a life worth living. I am almost daily rendered speechless by my client’s insights, drive and willingness to do whatever it takes to have the life they want.

The Biosocial Theory reflects our current understanding in how BPD develops. The theory states that BPD is a disorder of emotion dysregulation, and that emotion dysregulation is the result of emotional vulnerability as well as a lack of emotion modulation skills.

Most therapy is independent, conducted one-on-one, with the client and therapist working together. When couples are having relationship trouble they may seek couples counseling. Families may seek out family counseling to reduce interpersonal conflict and improve relationships.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the personality disorders. How does BPD develop and change over time?