How We Treat Borderline Personality Disorder at TAC (And Why It Works)
- Nathan Fite
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
It starts with something small.
A slammed door.
An outburst that feels way bigger than the moment.
A sudden wave of closeness... followed by fear of abandonment just hours later.
You try everything: new routines, new approaches.
But nothing works the way it used to.
Maybe you’re the one holding it all together, unsure why things keep falling apart.
Or maybe you feel like a completely different person from one day to the next.
Either way, the ripple effects can be hard to untangle.
Why does everything feel so intense?
Why can’t there just be stability?
Is this something more than moodiness?
You’re not imagining it.
And you’re not broken.
You might be navigating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
This guide breaks down what BPD really looks like, what’s happening in the brain, and how our specialized care at The Anxiety Center helps people stabilize, grow, and feel like themselves again.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
What BPD Really Looks Like (It’s Not Just Moodiness)
BPD doesn’t always show up the way you expect.
One person shared that they went from feeling deeply connected to suddenly pushing everyone away in the same day.
It’s not just “mood swings.”
It’s emotions that feel unbearable.
It’s fear of abandonment that leads to desperate behaviors.
It’s self-doubt that spirals into emptiness.
And in real life, it often shows up as:
Intense emotional highs and lows
Turbulent relationships with friends, partners, or family
Fear of being abandoned (even when connection is secure)
Rapid changes in identity, goals, or self-image
Impulsive or self-destructive behaviors
Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
These aren’t bad behaviors or character flaws.
They’re symptoms of a mental health condition.
They’re your nervous system saying,
“I can’t regulate this.”
Neuroscience supports this.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), people with BPD often show differences in brain regions involved in emotion and impulse control. Trauma or invalidating environments can make those patterns stronger. And because the adolescent brain is still developing and highly adaptable, early treatment can support healthier pathways and reshape a person’s future.
If you’ve noticed a pattern that doesn’t fit typical ups and downs, you’re not alone. And your instincts matter.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
🛠️ The Tools That Actually Help: How We Treat BPD at TAC
Our approach is comprehensive.
It starts with assessments.
Then we create a tailored plan.
Our care is built on one truth: stability comes from understanding.
At TAC, we use evidence-based tools to rebuild structure, safety, and hope.
Here’s what treatment can include:
For co-occurring conditions like major depressive disorder or OCD, we may use FDA-cleared TMS. It is non-invasive and cleared for MDD, OCD (deep TMS), and smoking cessation—not for BPD itself.
For treatment-resistant depression co-occurring with BPD, we may use FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato) under REMS monitoring. It is not a treatment for BPD itself.
DBT is one of the most studied and strongly supported psychotherapies for BPD. It teaches skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier relationships.
CBT can help with mood swings, anxiety, and self-harm, often alongside DBT or other therapies.
When weekly therapy isn’t enough, and you need deeper, more consistent support to stabilize.
👨👩👧 Family & Partner Support
When loved ones want to help but don’t know how. We teach validation, boundaries, and skills to support healing.
We work with individuals across Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis, helping people navigate painful patterns with new hope.
You don’t have to have the perfect words.
You just need a place to start.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
🌱 What Progress Really Looks Like
Healing from BPD isn’t linear.
But you’ll start to notice the signs:
Someone who used to spiral into crisis begins to pause and use a skill instead.
Someone who once felt defined by emptiness starts naming their emotions.
Relationships that felt unstable begin to feel steadier.
We’ve seen people begin to reconnect with themselves.
We’ve seen partners, friends, and families feel less afraid and more equipped to support.
Here’s a fictionalized example, drawn from many people we’ve supported: someone who once feared abandonment daily now has healthier friendships and is exploring their identity with more confidence. This illustration is not about one person, but reflects common experiences.
With time, support, and a personalized plan, things can change.
You can feel that shift from the inside out.
🚀 Starting BPD Treatment at TAC: What Happens First (And Why It’s So Simple)
We start with something simple.
Listening.
No pressure to explain everything.
No expectations of where you “should” be.
Just a safe space to say,
“I’m struggling. And I need help.”
You’re not alone.
And you’re not failing.
You’re already doing the most important thing: seeking support.
Let us walk with you the rest of the way.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
If you’re thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for immediate support.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult a licensed professional.
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