BPD and Emotional Dysregulation: What’s the Connection?

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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a relatively common mental health condition that produces symptoms of impulsive behavior, cognitive distortions, and intense relationships with others. In addition to these symptoms, people with BPD also struggle with emotional dysregulation, which makes it challenging to manage their emotions and feelings when exposed to particular triggers.

Emotional dysregulation refers to a person’s inability to manage or control their emotional responses to different situations. This might involve experiencing extreme fluctuations in mood or having emotional reactions that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. Emotional dysregulation can be characterized by frequent, intense mood swings, impulsivity triggered by emotional events, and difficulty calming down when upset.

BPD and Dysregulation: What’s the Difference?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and emotional dysregulation are different in that BPD is a specific, diagnosable psychiatric disorder, while emotional dysregulation is a symptom or a psychological phenomenon that can occur in various mental health conditions, including but not limited to BPD.

People with BPD often have a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect (emotions), along with marked impulsivity.

Emotional dysregulation – the inability to manage or control emotional responses – is one key characteristics of BPD. However, BPD also involves other symptoms, such as fear of abandonment, identity disturbances, chronic feelings of emptiness, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harming.

Emotional dysregulation is not a diagnosis in itself. It is an issue that can be present in many different mental health conditions, including BPD, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others.

It’s essentially a difficulty in managing, processing, or responding to emotional experiences.

Causes of Emotional Dysregulation?

Childhood Trauma

Unfortunately, childhood trauma often leads to psychological impairments in adulthood, such as emotional dysregulation. This issue is generally because this early-stage trauma can often interrupt our development of self-control and emotional liability, making it more challenging to control our emotions in the future.

Insecure Attachment Styles

Insecure attachment is a behavioral pattern defined by distrust in our relationships. Today, leading research has shown that those struggling with insecure attachment styles often struggle to create healthy interpersonal relationships with others, due to an inability to control their emotions.

Enhancing the Difficulties

Here’s why this combination of BPD and emotional dysregulation is particularly challenging:

  1. Persistent and intense emotions: People with BPD often experience emotional dysregulation, which means their emotions are more intense, fluctuate more frequently, and last longer than those without BPD. This can make it extremely difficult for them to manage daily life and maintain stable relationships.
  2. Impulsive behaviors: The emotional instability can lead to impulsive, risky behaviors. Substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating, or self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions can all become a problem for a person with BPD and emotional dysregulation.
  3. Interpersonal relationships: The combination of BPD and emotional dysregulation can lead to a pattern of unstable relationships. Intense emotions can trigger fear of abandonment or rejection, leading to conflict and frequent changes in feelings towards others.
  4. Mental health risks: This combination significantly increases the risk of other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. It also increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
  5. Challenges in treatment: BPD and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for people to engage in and benefit from treatment. They may have a hard time trusting therapists, maintaining the motivation for treatment, or applying the coping skills they learn in therapy.
  6. Chronic feelings of emptiness: Individuals with BPD often report chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom, which can be a source of great distress.

Treatment for BPD and Emotional Dysregulation

While living life with emotional dysregulation can be tremendously challenging, you must understand that there will always be a glimmer of hope if you are willing to take it. Today, treatments, such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), are tremendously effective at treating several conditions, including BPD and emotional dysregulation.

This modern treatment is a form of talk therapy that practitioners have specially adapted for individuals currently struggling with intense and powerful emotions. One of the core ways that DBT stands out is that it places its core focus on helping people understand the reality of their feelings and behaviors. After this period of acceptance, they can work with their therapist to manage these uncontrollable emotions, leading to a better quality of life.

With DBT, you no longer have to live a life where you take a back seat to emotional outbursts, aggression, or avoidance. Instead, you can learn to understand your triggers and work on developing new skills that make it much easier to regulate your emotions.

Getting Help for BPD in Newport Beach

If you want to talk to someone about your options for IOP treatment in Newport Beach for BPD or to get guidance for yourself or a loved one, call Lido Wellness today. Our experienced team is ready to help you understand your options and give you the help you need for the next step in your journey.

Navigating the Complexities of Major Depressive Disorder

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What Is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a tremendously complex mental health condition that often impacts the quality of a person’s social interactions and daily life. This disorder, also known as clinical depression, often includes long bouts of sadness, a loss of interest in general quality of life, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and can even contribute to thoughts of self-harm.

Depression is serious. It causes people to lose themselves without even knowing it. Slowly their life dwindles away, and there is little memory of joy and relief. All that exists is a blanket of sadness covering their days. It’s hard to experience and nearly as difficult to watch a loved one go through it.

But there is hope. Various therapies have proven effective in helping people manage MDD, and in some cases medications can help people effectively maintain control of their diagnosis and find fulfillment and happiness in life once again.

What are the Factors that Contribute to Major Depressive Disorder?

Genetics

With research from leading health bodies stating that up to 50% of depression cases are hereditary, it’s safe to say genetics play a role in the development of MDD. This intricate link between MDD and genetics often means that individuals with family members that have MDD are up to 3x more likely to develop this condition than people without any hereditary links. If it runs in your family, you are are at risk of developing some degree of depression.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors such as childhood trauma, excessive stress, and losing a loved one can also lead to the onset of MDD. While some of these adverse environmental factors may seem small and insignificant, they often have a domino effect that leads to impactful changes in our lives.

Brain Chemistry

Our brain is teeming with various neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in helping us control our feelings and mood. As an illustration, serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter that aids in managing bodily functions like sleep and mood. So, individuals with lower serotonin levels are more likely to develop MDD than those with high serotonin levels.

What Types of Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) can manifest in different ways, and clinicians may categorize it into various types based on specific features or patterns of symptoms. Here are some types of major depressive disorder:

  1. Melancholic Depression: This type of depression is characterized by severe symptoms such as a loss of pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia), significant weight loss or loss of appetite, excessive guilt, early morning awakenings, and a general feeling of being emotionally or physically agitated.
  2. Atypical Depression: Atypical depression expresses itself in mood reactivity, meaning that individuals may experience temporary improvements in mood in response to positive events or situations. Other symptoms include increased appetite or weight gain, excessive sleep or fatigue, a heavy feeling in the limbs, and heightened sensitivity to rejection.
  3. Psychotic Depression: Psychotic depression typically includes hallucinations (perceiving things that aren’t real) or delusions (having false beliefs). These hallucinations or delusions are typically consistent with depressive themes such as guilt, personal inadequacy, or worthlessness.
  4. Postpartum Depression: Postpartum depression occurs in women after childbirth. Women may feel extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that can make it challenging to care for oneself or the baby. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and psychosocial factors contribute to its development.
  5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): SAD is a type of depression that occurs in a seasonal pattern, typically during the fall and winter months when there is less natural sunlight. Symptoms include low mood, lethargy, increased sleep, weight gain, and carbohydrate cravings. Symptoms tend to improve in the spring and summer.
  6. Catatonic Depression: Catatonia can be identified by motor abnormalities, and when it occurs in the context of depression, it is called catatonic depression. Symptoms may include immobility or excessive, purposeless motor activity, mutism (inability or refusal to speak), and peculiar postures or repetitive movements.

Are there any Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder?

If you have received an MDD diagnosis, it can be natural to feel like the world is closing in on you. However, this could not be further from the case, as there are various proven MDD treatments available today, including:

Antidepressant Medication

Antidepressant medication is an effective way to treat MDD. These medications aid in reducing the symptoms of your diagnosis, making it easier to go through your daily life and engage in social interactions.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapeutic treatments, such as CBT and interpersonal therapy, have remained one of the most successful ways to treat MDD. This medically proven solution often works by diving into the root cause of your MDD and teaching you new ways to cope with your depression.

IOP for Major Depressive Disorder

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a type of treatment service and support program used primarily to treat depression, personality disorders, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. The idea behind IOPs is that they provide a high level of care, but the patient still lives at home, allowing for a balance between intensive treatment and normal life activities.

IOP can be a particularly good option for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for several reasons:

  1. Intensity of treatment: IOPs generally involve multiple treatment sessions per week, which can include individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. This high intensity of treatment can be very helpful for managing the symptoms of MDD.
  2. Supportive environment: Group therapy sessions, which are often a part of IOPs, can provide a supportive and understanding environment. This can be helpful for people with MDD who often feel isolated and misunderstood.
  3. Holistic approach: IOPs often include components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other types of therapy. This multi-faceted approach can address a variety of issues related to MDD, including cognitive distortions, emotional regulation, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Getting Help With GDD in Newport Beach

One of the most crucial things to understand about MDD is that each diagnosis is tremendously unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. So, if you are considering treating this condition, we often suggest seeking a health practice that offers personalized treatment plans.

The core benefit of individualized treatment is that it always considers your unique needs and experiences, leading to a more effective treatment plan.

Remember, getting help for depression disorders is a process, and it may take time to find the right treatment for you. If you want to talk to someone about an IOP option for general depressive disorder, call Lido Wellness Center today.

Our mental health services in Newport Beach are designed to help individuals with depression, anxiety, and other disorders that affect millions of people across the country.

Confronting Anxiety Disorder Stigma

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Anxiety is commonly associated with feelings of helplessness. Fear and the constant analyzing of life and its circumstances, even choosing to stop engaging with activities and people, are all common with anxiety. People struggling with anxiety can feel like they can’t control their feelings and emotions.

Anxiety is pervasive. One in four people in the US has some form of anxiety. But very few people with anxiety disorders actually get mental health treatment for anxiety.

One reason? People think you should toughen up. Or you should “Just calm down and stop being so dramatic.” Maybe you have heard them too? “You’re too sensitive.” “It’s all in your head.”

Whatever it is you have heard or even said, anxiety stigma exists. And it is important to confront it.

When there is an anxiety disorder stigma, it can make matters worse. If being singled out and made to feel abnormal triggers panic attacks, the fear of being stigmatized can create a cycle of anxiety that perpetuates increasingly worse, intense feelings.

What Is Anxiety Disorder Stigma?

First, we should take a second to understand what stigmatization is. A stigma is something that people perceive as a mark of shame. Stigmas, as they relate to mental health, are generally categorized in three ways:

  1.  Social Stigmas:These social norms cause individuals to discriminate against those they feel are disgraceful in some capacity. This can be split into two categories:
  • Actual: What people actually believe about a disorder
  • Perceived: What a person believes others think about their disorders
  1.  Structural Stigmas:These are the social norms as they relate to systems of power, the actual laws, rules, and regulations that may affect the day-to-day lives of stigmatized groups. These are generally the leading factors that deny stigmatized individuals and groups the services, resources, and opportunities they may need.
  2.  Self Stigmas:Relating to Perceived Social Stigmas, this is the negative self-awareness that stigmatized individuals may have about themselves, the person’s own beliefs in how their disorder is a sign of their failures rather than a consequence of a treatable disorder.

Consequences of Anxiety Disorder Stigma

Even though there are numerous treatments and therapies for anxiety, and despite anxiety being one of the most common psychological disorders, only around 36% of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment.

This is likely due to the high rate of individuals with the Perceived Stigma that anxiety disorders don’t exist. Many individuals perceive anxiety as a personal weakness, something they must ‘deal with’ as opposed to something that must be treated.

This is particularly troublesome when people with anxiety disorders are 6 times as likely to be hospitalized than those without anxiety for psychiatric disorders. Untreated anxiety can also be a pipeline to depression and increases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts. Those with anxiety who suffer from stigmatization are likely to perceive themselves as weak and suffer from low-self esteem, doubt, and internalized shame.

The Importance of Anxiety Education

Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder and is treatable through therapy and medication. Still, as long as stigmas against anxiety disorders exist, people will continue to feel isolated and ashamed and won’t seek readily available help that is out there.

Common Treatments of Anxiety Disorders:

  1. Exercise: Regular exercise is an effective way to manage anxiety. It helps reduce stress and releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing anxiety.
  2. Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery, can help you manage anxiety by reducing tension and promoting relaxation.
  3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to anxiety. It’s a highly effective treatment for anxiety and can be done in an outpatient mental health program.
  4. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy that involves meeting with a mental health professional to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can be an effective way to treat anxiety because it helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to your anxiety.

Getting Help for Anxiety in Newport Beach

It is important that people understand that suffering from an anxiety disorder is not a sign of weakness or a personal failure but rather a mental health issue that is not only common but treatable. The more people are educated on the facts of anxiety disorders, the more likely we are to see an increase in treatment and an improvement in the overall quality of people’s lives.

Lido Wellness Center offers a complete treatment program for anxiety disorders in Newport Beach. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, it’s important to remember that help is available.

The first step is understanding that anxiety is a common and treatable mental health issue. Don’t let the stigma surrounding anxiety prevent you from seeking the treatment you need. The next step is to seek help from a mental health professional who can provide the support and guidance you need to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

At Lido Wellness Center in Newport Beach, we offer a full treatment program for anxiety disorders. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one confront the stigma of anxiety and begin the journey toward healing and recovery.

Depression Treatment Center Newport Beach

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We all experience sadness at specific points in life, such as upon failing a job interview or after a major life change, such as relocating to a new neighborhood. The gloominess caused by such events disappears after a while, and we are back to a healthy, happier state of mind.

For individuals who suffer from depression, things aren’t as simple as that. Their lives are so deeply affected by the psychological and physical effects of the disorder that it interferes with their work, relationships, and mental stability.

Depression is a complex mental health disorder that affects more than 16 million adults, or about 6.7% of the US adult population in each given year. Despite its prevalence, few truly understand the symptoms and severity of the disorder, and it often goes undiagnosed or untreated.

What Is Depression?

An individual is diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) when at least five of the following symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Association (APA)’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) are experienced daily for at least 2 weeks:

  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Changes in sleep and activity patterns
  • Changes in appetite
  • Diminished energy
  • Lack of focus
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Mood swings

Often, these symptoms are misunderstood and thought to be temporary mood swings that will eventually resolve. However, depression, if left untreated, can manifest into more severe symptoms.

Surprising Facts about Depression

Depression is more complex and severe than its surface-level symptoms listed in the DSM-V:

  • It can cause physical pain

Headaches, joint pain, and stomach aches, in the absence of any other external cause, can be signs of depression. This is often because individuals suffering from depression adopt unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as eating or sleeping too little.

At our depression treatment center in Newport Beach, our specialists carefully analyze each patient’s symptoms and draft a customized multi-dimensional treatment program. This helps them improve their health and teaches them effective coping skills to manage their condition.

  • Depression can affect the gut

Depression may affect the bacteria ecosystem that resides in your gut, resulting in inflammation and reduced production of good nutrients. This can trigger digestive problems and stomach aches that further impact the mental well-being of the individual.

At our mental health treatment center, we use talk therapy and medication to alleviate our patients’ symptoms. We assign probiotics and prebiotics as part of a balanced diet to help restore the gut ecosystem. In addition, we conduct individual psychotherapy, depending on the nature of the patient’s symptoms.

  • Depression often co-occurs with chronic illnesses

1/3rd of patients with diabetes experience depression, while 25% of cancer patients face depressive symptoms. What is critical to understand is that such illnesses have their line of treatment that helps regulate their symptoms but does not target depression.

A separate treatment program consisting of counseling and suitable medication is needed to help the patient maintain their mental well-being. At Lido Wellness Center, our specialists assess patients’ past medical history when devising the perfect treatment plan for them.

  • Depression is correlated with other mental disorders

Beyond chronic diseases, depression is also linked to other mental health disorders, such as anorexia, substance abuse, and anxiety. According to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, over 20% of individuals affected by substance abuse are also affected by depression.

Our detox treatment programs are formulated to provide patients with the necessary rehab facilities to rid themselves of the addiction while combining therapy to manage their depressive symptoms.

Moreover, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often co-occurs with MDD and affects 3.1% of the US population. However, less than half actually receive anxiety treatment.

At Lido Wellness Depression Center in Newport Beach, we offer specialized anxiety and depression treatment programs that first consist of diagnosing the occurrence of both disorders and then determining the severity of their symptoms.

Our anxiety disorder treatment and major depression disorder treatment consist of evidence-based approaches, such as psychotropic medication, CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

  • Depression Treatment is not unidirectional

The abundant scientific literature on depression attests that depression is a very complex disorder. It manifests in a different range of symptoms among men, women, and teens and varies in the extent it affects each individual. This is why we follow evidence-based approaches to patient treatment, tweaked to their lifestyle, and displayed symptoms.

Our individual psychotherapy includes:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is suited to those with moderate to mild depression. It helps alleviate depression symptoms by helping individuals adopt necessary life changes. It uncovers negative thoughts backed by illogical reasoning that reside in the patient’s mind and replaces them with healthier, positive thoughts.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) targets those with severe depression, often to the extent of having suicidal notions. It focuses on self-acceptance and truth, allowing the patient to become aware of the nature of their ideas and eliminating unhealthy thoughts by undergoing a mental reformation.

At Lido Wellness Center, we offer outpatient treatment programs for those suffering from depression. We can help you improve your quality of life and go back to being a healthier, happier you.

For more information, call us at 949-541-8466 or email us at info@lidowellnesscenter.com.