Eating Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder: More Common Than You Might Think
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by instability in mood, emotions, behavior, and perception of self-image. BPD impacts the way individuals think and feel about themselves and others, causing problems in various areas of everyday life. Borderline personality disorder is frequently comorbid with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
by: Amanda Nussbaum
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses characterized by irregular eating and exercising habits in response to how a person perceives his or her body image. Such disorders can lead to malnourishment, along with changes in mood and demeanor, which can, in turn, lead to other insecurities and impulses. Other mental health disorders can co-exist with an eating disorder and affect someone in similar ways. One such co-existing disorder is borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Usually, people with borderline personality disorder begin showing symptoms during adolescence or young adulthood. Those with BPD are often unable to handle or control their emotions and relationships. People with the disorder tend to have frequent mood changes and view situations very intensely – whether they are good or bad. As with eating disorders, people with BPD can develop unhealthy and impetuous behaviors that could negatively impact their relationships, thoughts, and self-worth. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, around 1.5% of the United States have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and about 75% of those diagnosed are female. People with BPD are also often misdiagnosed as having other mental heath conditions, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Although borderline personality disorder may not be as common as other psychiatric disorders, it often co-exists with eating disorders. Studies have shown that nearly 54% of people diagnosed with BPD also experience some form of an eating disorder. Indeed, about 25% of those with BPD display signs of anorexia and 28% express symptoms of bulimia. Many people with these disorders have experienced a traumatic event of some kind during their lifetime. A person also may develop borderline personality disorder prior to an eating disorder, but sometimes people with an eating disorder can begin to show signs of BPD.
There are several symptoms that individuals with borderline personality disorder may experience. These signs range from having severe mood swings, a poor body-image, erratic and unhealthy relationships, self-harming, feeling a sense of “emptiness”, struggling with paranoia, being afraid to be alone, being angry, or engaging in harmful behaviors. People with an eating disorder may believe that if they look a certain way, they will have more friends or more control over the people in their life. Feelings of abandonment are another common characteristic of BPD. Someone with borderline personality disorder may engage in self-harm or other unhealthy behaviors, which is similar to individuals with an eating disorder who also engage in unhealthy behaviors. These behaviors include food restriction, abusing substances, or purging to alleviate their pain and emotions.
Although eating disorders and borderline personality disorder are often related and should be treated together, they are two distinct disorders. If the symptoms of one disorder are much more severe or acute than the other, that disorder should be addressed first. It is important that the medical professional treating these disorders concurrently is knowledgeable about both the eating disorder and borderline personality disorder, especially since BPD is often misdiagnosed. Treating these disorders involves different levels of care, therapies, and medication management. For example, individual and group therapies may focus on, among other things, body image, self-esteem, relapse prevention, and process groups. Other treatments for eating disorders and BPD may consist of yoga or art therapy, menu planning, exposure therapy, and experiential therapy, which may involve trips to restaurants, clothing shops, and grocery stores. These experiences will help patients apply the skills and coping mechanisms they learn in treatment to real-life situations. It is important for someone with these disorders to get help as soon as possible to make a full recovery.
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center treats the spectrum of eating disorders, including Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, compulsive overeating, and other distorted eating behaviors and body image issues. Currently, we are offering a range of virtual programs and services which involve nutrition counseling, eating disorder therapy, and meal support. BALANCE offers clients four distinct levels of care to meet their specific treatment needs, including a day program, weeknight program, step-down groups, and individual nutrition services. BALANCE is proud to offer an array of free and low-cost virtual webinars and resources to help those struggling with eating disorders, distorted eating, and body image concerns. Click the button below to learn more about our programs and services.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Amanda Nussbaum.
Amanda is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about health, wellness, and lifestyle. Throughout college, Amanda volunteered with the Girls on the Run organization, which helps young girls develop a positive self-esteem. She also mentored a young girl through Ramapo College’s chapter of Big Brother, Big Sister. Amanda’s involvement in these organizations helped her realize that she wants to work for a company that has an impact on others, while still being creative with marketing. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in the marketing or communications department of an organization that focuses on teenagers and young adults, and their health and self-confidence. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!