Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves and relates to others. People living with BPD often experience intense emotions, difficulty managing their feelings and challenges in maintaining relationships. These experiences can feel overwhelming and may severely impact the person's everyday life, work and personal wellbeing.

Symptoms of BPD can vary from person to person, but commonly include:

• Emotional instability: Experiencing intense emotions and sudden mood changes.

• Fear of abandonment: Feeling extremely anxious about being rejected, left or alone.

• Relationship difficulties: Experiencing intense relationships that can shift between idealising someone and feeling disappointed or hurt by them.

• Unstable sense of self: Struggling with identity, self-worth or a sense of who you are.

• Impulsive behaviours: Making decisions that may be harmful, such as overspending, substance misuse or risky behaviours.

• Feelings of emptiness: Experiencing ongoing loneliness, emptiness or disconnection.

• Anger and distress: Finding it difficult to manage frustration, anger or emotional pain.

• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Some people may experience urges to self-harm or thoughts of suicide.

Counselling can play an important role in supporting people living with BPD. Counselling can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to explore emotions, understand behavioural patterns and develop healthier coping strategies.

Counselling can also support people to build self-esteem, strengthen relationships, manage triggers and develop a more stable sense of identity.

Living with BPD can be challenging, but recovery and meaningful change are possible. With the right therapeutic support, individuals can develop greater emotional stability, healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.