Inside The Brain With Bipolar

TeenThreads Mental Health Guide

NIMH explains that BPD affects the brain’s emotion regulation systems.
This includes:

• Amygdala: Overreacts to emotional triggers
• Prefrontal cortex: Struggles to calm the amygdala
• Hippocampus: Difficulty forming stable emotional memories

Borderline Personality Disorder in School Kids & Adolescents

TeenThreads Mental Health Guide

A teen‑appropriate, stigma‑free, and shareable deep dive.

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder? (Teen Definition)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to regulate their emotions.
This means emotions can feel super intense, hard to control, and quick to change, which can affect:

• Relationships
• Self‑image
• Impulse control
• School performance
• Friendships
• Family interactions

BPD is not a choice, not “being dramatic,” and not attention‑seeking. It’s a real condition involving the brain’s emotion‑regulation systems.

Common names teens may hear:

• “BPD”
• “Borderline”
• “Emotion dysregulation disorder”
• “Extreme mood swings” (not accurate, but commonly said)
• “Fear of abandonment disorder”

Remember:
“BPD isn’t about being ‘too emotional.’ It’s about having emotions that hit like a tidal wave.”

Can Kids & Teens Have BPD?

Yes.
Although BPD is traditionally diagnosed in adults, research now shows it can appear in teens, and early treatment helps prevent long‑term problems.
Child Mind Institute notes that BPD in teens involves extreme emotions, unstable relationships, and difficulty calming down once upset.

Why Does BPD Happen? (Etiology & Causes)

There is no single cause, but experts point to a combination of:

1. Biological Factors

• Genetics (family history increases risk)
• Brain differences in emotion regulation and impulse control
• Neurochemical imbalances

2. Environmental Factors

• Trauma (abuse, neglect, bullying)
• Unstable or invalidating home environments
• High‑conflict relationships
• Chronic stress

3. Psychological Factors

• High sensitivity to emotions
• Difficulty calming down
• Fear of abandonment
• Identity confusion

Teen analogy:
“Imagine your emotional ‘volume knob’ is stuck on max. Even small things feel huge.”

What’s Going On in the Brain? (Pathology)

NIMH explains that BPD affects the brain’s emotion regulation systems.
This includes:

• Amygdala: Overreacts to emotional triggers
• Prefrontal cortex: Struggles to calm the amygdala
• Hippocampus: Difficulty forming stable emotional memories

This creates a cycle of:

1. Big emotion →
2. Overreaction →
3. Impulsive behavior →
4. Shame →
5. Bigger emotion

Signs & Symptoms of BPD in Kids & Teens

Based on NIMH and Child Mind Institute findings.

Emotional Symptoms

• Intense, fast‑changing emotions
• Feeling empty or “numb”
• Extreme fear of being abandoned
• Difficulty calming down once upset

Behavioral Symptoms

• Impulsive actions (spending, risky behavior, running away, unsafe online behavior)
• Self‑harm or suicidal thoughts
• Explosive anger
• Sudden changes in friendships
• Idealizing someone one day, hating them the next

Relationship Symptoms

• Clinginess
• Jealousy
• Feeling rejected easily
• Over‑attachment to friends or partners

Identity Symptoms

• Not knowing “who I am”
• Changing goals, values, or friend groups often
• Feeling broken or “too much”

Note that:
“BPD isn’t mood swings—it’s emotional whiplash.”

How BPD Shows Up in School Kids & Teens

In School

• Sudden drop in grades
• Conflicts with teachers or peers
• Difficulty focusing
• Skipping class after emotional events
• Feeling overwhelmed by small tasks

In Friendships

• Intense friendships that burn out fast
• Feeling betrayed easily
• Over‑texting or needing constant reassurance
• Fear of being replaced

In Family Life

• Big arguments
• Feeling misunderstood
• Emotional outbursts
• Apologizing repeatedly after conflicts

In Social Media

• Posting impulsively
• Oversharing
• Feeling ignored if someone doesn’t respond immediately

Diagnosis (How Professionals Figure It Out)

Diagnosis is done by:

• Child/adolescent psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Licensed therapists

They use:

• Clinical interviews
• Symptom checklists
• Family history
• Behavior patterns over time

NIMH notes that BPD involves long‑term patterns of emotional instability and impulsive behavior.

Treatment Options for Kids & Teens

1. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

The gold standard for BPD.
Teaches:

• Emotional regulation
• Distress tolerance
• Mindfulness
• Healthy relationships

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Helps challenge negative thoughts and build coping skills.

3. Family Therapy

Helps families understand BPD and respond supportively.

4. Medication

Not for BPD itself, but may help with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood instability

5. Online Therapy Platforms

(Not for emergencies, but helpful for ongoing support)

• BetterHelp
• Talkspace
• Brightside

6. Mindfulness & Calming Tools

• Headspace
• Calm
• Insight Timer

What Happens If BPD Goes Untreated?

Untreated BPD can lead to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-harm
• Substance misuse
• Unstable relationships
• Academic struggles
• Risky behavior

Early treatment improves long‑term outcomes dramatically.

The Role of Friends, Family, Teachers & Counselors

Friends

• Don’t take emotional reactions personally
• Set healthy boundaries
• Encourage professional help
• Offer support without becoming a “therapist”

Parents & Family

• Stay calm during emotional storms
• Validate feelings (“I hear you”)
• Avoid harsh criticism
• Support therapy and routines

Teachers

• Recognize emotional dysregulation
• Offer structure and predictability
• Refer to school counselors when needed

School Counselors

• Provide coping tools
• Help with crisis plans
• Connect families to outside therapists

Lessons Teens Can Learn (you can share this!)

• You are not “too much.” You are a person with big feelings who deserves support.
• Your emotions are valid—even when they feel overwhelming.
• You can learn to regulate your emotions.
• You are not your diagnosis.
• Healing is possible.

Remember that:

• “BPD doesn’t make you broken. It makes you human—with emotions turned up to max.”
• “You can feel everything intensely and still learn to control your reactions.”
• “Asking for help is a power move.”

Support Groups & Helplines

These are information and support resources, not emergency services.

NAMI HelpLine

Free emotional support & resources.
Phone: 1‑800‑950‑NAMI (6264)
Text: “NAMI” to 62640
Website: https://www.nami.org/nami-helpline/ (nami.org in Bing)

NAMI Support Groups

Peer-led groups for individuals and families.
https://namiarizona.org/support-and-education/support-groups/ (namiarizona.org in Bing)

NIMH – Borderline Personality Disorder Information