Borderline Personality

Mood swings, irrational behaviors, thoughts of suicide, or intense fears of abandonment could indicate borderline personality disorder. If you suspect you or a loved one has this condition, Dr. Kleinman can help. rely on As a board-certified psychiatrist in her practice at Amanda S. Kleinman MD Ltd in Chicago at One Magnificent Mile, Dr. Kleinman diagnoses and treats borderline personality disorder to improve your moods, emotions, behaviors, and quality of life. Schedule a mental health evaluation by phone or online today.

What is borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects the way you feel about other people and yourself. It can cause problems with self-image, moods, emotions, and relationships with other people or your job. See Dr. Kleinman if you are noticing these problems in your life.

What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?

The hallmark symptoms of borderline personality disorder include:

• Frequent mood swings
• Fear of abandonment
• Unstable relationships 
• Job instability 
• Difficulty managing behaviors and emotions
• Self-image or self-identity issues or changes
• Impulsiveness or risky behaviors
• Anger
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Substance misuse
• Stress-related paranoia
• Loss of contact with reality
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feeling empty
• Hot temper

The condition often begins in early adulthood and may gradually improve with older age. The inability to form healthy interpersonal relationships may cause frustration, as people with borderline personality disorder often long for strong, loving bonds with others. 

What increases my risk of borderline personality disorder?

Risk factors for developing borderline personality disorder include:

• Family history of borderline personality disorder
• Brain chemical abnormalities 
• Ongoing stress
• Traumatic childhood events
• Neglect
• Hostile family environment
• Exposure to unstable relationships 

However, the cause of borderline personality disorder isn’t entirely understood, and anyone may develop it without known risk factors.

How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed?

Dr. Kleinman completes a psychiatric evaluation to determine if you have borderline personality disorder or other mental health conditions. She reviews your medical history, medications, lifestyle habits, and history of trauma. Dr. Kleinman also addresses your thoughts, moods, emotions, and behavior patterns before customizing a mental health treatment plan if needed.

How is borderline personality disorder treated?

Dr. Kleinman offers highly effective treatments for borderline personality disorder, including medication management and psychotherapy. She specializes in psychodynamic therapy, a once-weekly therapy, and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), a more intensive twice-weekly therapy. 

Additional therapies that are often effective for borderline personality disorder include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), schema-focused therapy, mentalization-based therapy (MBT), systems training for emotional predictability and problem-solving (STEPPS), good psychiatric management, and numerous others.

But if you have tried the above and did not find success, speak with Dr. Kleinman about whether TFP may benefit you.

Dr. Kleinman follows your progress closely up to ensure a superior outcome, with long-lasting mental health improvement.

Schedule an evaluation with Amanda S. Kleinman MD Ltd by phone or request one online today if you suspect you or a loved one has borderline personality disorder.