Get weekly notifications for new group therapy session times.
Are you interested in joining an online group therapy session? Subscribe and receive weekly updates for new group therapy session times at Grouport.
.png)
Learn DBT Skills In A Group
Weekly sessions are available. Grouport offers therapist-led dialectical behavior therapy skills groups online. The first 12 weeks covers fundamental DBT skills.
Learn more
When the intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and unstable relationships associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) become too hard to handle, understanding is the key to relief. As a complex mental health condition, many BPD symptoms are caused by distorted thinking patterns. Knowing what causes these patterns can help you identify triggers, and react with healthier coping strategies.
This article will delve into distorted thinking in BPD, offering insights into common patterns and therapeutic approaches to address these cognitive distortions.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder marked by a range of symptoms, including a fear of abandonment, intense mood swings, self-image issues, and difficulties forming and maintaining stable relationships. These symptoms can significantly impact your ability to function day-to-day, causing intense emotional reactions that impact you and everyone around you.
BPD is a mental health condition characterized by distorted thinking patterns (cognitive distortions). These intense emotional experiences involve exaggerated thoughts that can contribute to distress and maladaptive behaviors. In turn, these patterns often exacerbate your symptoms and impede your progress in therapy.
While cognitive distortions can vary from person to person, some common patterns in individuals with BPD include:
When cognitive distortions impact how you see the world, they also inevitably impact your behavior as well. They cause intense emotions that fuel impulsive behaviors and deregulated decision-making. However, by understanding the cause and effect, you can start to untangle the emotional rollercoaster and work toward interpersonal effectiveness.
Emotional turbulence and misunderstandings have a profound effect on relationships. For example, all-or-nothing thinking regularly causes those with BPD to idealize someone one moment, only to devalue them when they don't live up to expectations. This pattern produces unstable relationships that fall apart as soon as there is an issue.
Mind reading and personalization also contribute, leading those with BPD to assume rejection or betrayal where there is none. The result: minor misunderstandings turn to intense emotional conflict, causing turbulent relationships. Trust becomes too hard to maintain, and withdrawal inevitably follows.
Building healthier relationships requires self-awareness and effective coping mechanisms.
Cognitive distortions like catastrophizing inevitably lead to emotional instability and impulsive behaviors, as the perceived urgency of the situation pushes you toward irrational, high-stakes decision-making. For example, if you believe that a disagreement will cause someone to leave you forever, you're more likely to take irrational action than someone who only perceives a minor issue. Your brain can more easily justify actions like self-harm, substance use, or reckless spending when the situation seems bigger than it is.
Distorted thinking also impacts how those with BPD see themselves, especially when you rely on external validation. For instance, emotional reasoning can cause you to internalize negative beliefs about yourself that aren't held by anyone else. You may assume that someone doesn't love you because of a certain action, but because you never confirmed how they actually feel, you're stuck assuming and causing yourself further mood instability.
Maybe your friend said something that made you feel unloved in the moment. Instead of rational clarification, someone with BPD might get stuck on the idea: "I feel unlovable, so I must be unlovable." This negative self-image then feeds into cycles of shame, self-blame, and identity confusion that make healing feel out of reach.
Cognitive distortions amplify the intense emotional fluctuations already associated with BPD, as they can filter your feelings through a biased lens. For example, you may experience emotional upheaval when someone takes too long to text you, as your brain interprets it as proof of abandonment or disrespect. In reality, the person may have just been busy.
However, when the brain internalizes these negative feelings, overwhelming emotions are quick to follow and hard to manage. This ongoing emotional reactivity often disrupts daily life and increases the need for a comprehensive treatment plan.
There are many different therapeutic approaches, led by licensed mental health professionals, that can help individuals with BPD recognize and challenge distorted thinking patterns. Experts use the latest diagnostic and statistical manual for accurate care, helping you develop more adaptive thoughts and behaviors.
CBT is an evidence-based approach that identifies and modifies maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can help individuals with BPD recognize their cognitive distortions, challenge their irrational thoughts, and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.
DBT, originally developed to treat BPD, is a comprehensive treatment approach incorporating CBT, mindfulness, and dialectical thinking elements. DBT can help individuals with BPD develop skills to manage their emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. Additionally, DBT can address distorted thinking patterns by teaching individuals to recognize and challenge irrational thoughts.
Schema Therapy is another therapeutic approach that can benefit individuals with BPD. This approach focuses on identifying and changing deeply ingrained, maladaptive patterns of thinking and behavior known as schemas. Schema Therapy can help individuals with BPD restructure their distorted thinking patterns, leading to more adaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Online group therapy, utilizing at least one or more of the approaches above, is a highly effective treatment for BPD symptoms. Meeting with a group of like-minded individuals, guided by a licensed BPD therapist, allows you to understand the psychological factors that impact your behavior while getting the emotional support you need. At Grouport, 70% of our members feel significantly better within just 8 weeks.
Distorted thinking patterns are a significant component of Borderline Personality Disorder that can exacerbate symptoms and hinder progress in therapy. Recognizing and addressing these cognitive distortions is essential for effective treatment and improved quality of life. With the right therapeutic approach and support, individuals with BPD can learn to navigate their cognitive distortions, leading to more adaptive thoughts and behaviors.
Struggling with the interpersonal effects of BPD or other mood disorders? Grouport offers a range of personalized group and individual therapy sessions that can make a significant difference when you experience emotional crisis. Whether you need one-on-one support for your emotional responses or couples therapy, we offer a service to suit your needs:
Want something more self-guided? Consider our DBT Self Guided Program. Learn Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to manage emotions, reduce conflict, and improve relationships.
We offer DBT group therapy online to improve emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, & interpersonal skills. Get effective and affordable treatment.
Space is limited, so reserve your seat today.
You May Also Like
