Types of Borderline Personality Disorder Medications

Types of Borderline Personality Disorder Medications BPD Treatment Print Types of Borderline Personality Disorder Medications By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on July 01, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on July 17, 2019 sturti/Getty Images More in BPD Treatment Diagnosis Living With BPD Related Conditions In This Article Table of Contents Expand Antidepressants Antipsychotics Mood Stabilizers/Anticonvulsants Anxiolytics Other Medications View All Back To Top Borderline personality disorder is sometimes treated with medications for anxiety or depression, which have been shown to reduce some of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). While there are currently no medications approved by the FDA to treat BPD, they have been found to be effective in some cases.?? Also, medications may be used to treat psychological conditions that frequently co-occur with BPD, such as major depressive disorder. Medications may be particularly effective for BPD when they are used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other treatments. Learning more about the different options will help you find the right medication choice for you. Borderline Personality Disorder Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctors appointment. Download PDF Antidepressants While antidepressants were specifically developed for individuals with major depressive disorder and other disorders characterized by low mood, many individuals with BPD are treated with these medications.?? There are several types of antidepressants that have been studied for use with BPD, including tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).?? Research has shown that these medications may help with the sadness, low mood, anxiety, and emotional reactivity often experienced by people with BPD, but they do not seem to have a strong effect on other symptoms of the disorder (e.g., anger, impulsivity). Common antidepressants include: Nardil (phenelzine)Prozac (fluoxetine)Zoloft (sertraline)Effexor (venlafaxine)Wellbutrin (bupropion) Antipsychotics The term borderline was coined because early psychiatrists believed that the symptoms of BPD were on the border between neurosis and psychosis. For this reason, some of the first medications tested for BPD were antipsychotics. Since this time, it has been found that antipsychotics can have a positive effect on a variety of non-psychotic disorders, including BPD. Antipsychotics have been shown to reduce anxiety, paranoid thinking, anger/hostility, and impulsivity in patients with BPD.?? Common antipsychotics include: Haldol (haloperidol)Zyprexa (olanzapine)Clozaril (clozapine)Seroquel (quetiapine)Risperdal (risperidone) (Risperdal) Mood Stabilizers/Anticonvulsants Medications with mood stabilizing properties, such as lithium, and some anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) medications, have been used to treat the impulsive behavior and rapid changes in emotion that are associated with BPD.?? There is research to suggest that these classes of drugs may be useful in BPD. Common mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants include: Lithobid (lithium carbonate)Depakote (valproate)Lamictal (lamotrigine)Tegretol or Carbatrol (carbamazepine) Anxiolytics (Anti-Anxiety) Because individuals with BPD also often experience intense anxiety, medications to reduce anxiety are sometimes prescribed. Unfortunately, there is very little research to support the use of anti-anxiety medication to treat BPD. Also, there is some evidence that uses of a particular class of anxiolytics, benzodiazepines (e.g., Ativan, Klonopin), may actually cause a worsening of symptoms for some individuals with BPD, and should be prescribed with caution.?? Benzodiazepines are particularly dangerous for use by individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders because they can be habit-forming. Buspar, an anxiolytic that is not habit-forming, is an alternative to medications from the benzodiazepine family. Common anxiolytics include: Ativan (lorazepam)Klonopin (clonazepam)Xanax (alprazolam)Valium (diazepam)Buspar (buspirone) Other Borderline Personality Disorder Medications As we learn more about the biological causes of BPD, new medications are being developed and tested for the disorder. For example, findings from one study suggest that an omega-3-fatty acid supplement can lead to decreased aggression and feelings of hostility in people with BPD.