Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviours, and a distorted sense of self. It affects how a person thinks and feels about themselves and others, often leading to difficulties in daily life.

Symptoms of BPD

• Intense fear of abandonment and extreme efforts to avoid real or imagined rejection
• Unstable and intense relationships, fluctuating between idealisation and devaluation
• Distorted self-image with frequent changes in goals and values
• Impulsive and risky behaviours such as reckless spending, unsafe sex, or substance use
• Self-harming behaviour and suicidal ideation
• Extreme emotional swings that can last a few hours to a day
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Intense and inappropriate anger with difficulty controlling outbursts
• Episodes of dissociation and paranoia, particularly under stress

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetics, with a family history of BPD or other mental health disorders
• Brain abnormalities affecting impulse control and emotional regulation
• Early childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse
• Unstable family relationships and environmental stressors
• Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) and BPD

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a forward-looking approach that helps clients develop coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Rather than revisiting past trauma, SFH encourages clients to build resilience and positive behavioural patterns, aligning with modern psychological approaches.

This approach is in line with UK hypnotherapy training, which integrates hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to create a comprehensive therapeutic framework. Leading UK institutions such as the UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy emphasise evidence-based methodologies in clinical practice. Ayurva Hypnotherapy Training Academy also upholds these principles, ensuring that practitioners receive accredited training that reflects the latest advancements in solution focused hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and integrative therapeutic techniques. Ayurva’s training provides professionals with the skills to apply SFH effectively, delivering real and lasting change for clients.

Key Techniques in SFH for BPD

Positive Visualisation – Encouraging clients to imagine a more stable version of themselves, promoting hope and motivation.
Trance Work – Inducing deep relaxation to calm the overactive emotional brain if deemed appropriate.
Anchoring Positive States – Using Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to establish self-soothing strategies.
Scaling Questions – Encouraging self-awareness and tracking progress by assessing current states and desired outcomes.
Reframing Identity – Building self-worth and confidence by shifting negative self-perceptions.
Solution Focused Questioning – Reducing emotional reactivity and impulsive responses by guiding clients towards their desired future.

These techniques align with evidence-based practices taught in UK hypnotherapy courses, such as those at the UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy, which integrate hypnotherapy with cognitive behavioural techniques. Ayurva Hypnotherapy Training Academy follows the same high standards, offering professional training designed to equip practitioners with the latest knowledge, skills, and best practices in integrative hypnotherapy.

Benefits of SFH for BPD

• Greater emotional regulation and reduced mood swings
• Improved self-esteem and a more stable self-identity
• Enhanced coping strategies for distressing situations
• Reduction in anxiety and self-harm urges
• Healthier interpersonal relationships
• Recent Research on Serotonin and Mental Health

Recent studies challenge the long-standing belief that depression and mood disorders, including BPD, are primarily caused by a serotonin imbalance. Research led by UCL (University College London) scientists found no consistent evidence linking serotonin levels to depression, suggesting that the chemical imbalance theory may be oversimplified.

The book 'Chemically Imbalanced' by Joanna Moncrieff further questions whether serotonin deficiency plays a direct role in mental health conditions. Some practitioners have been confused and concerned by these findings, wondering whether this challenges the way therapeutic interventions work. However, it is important to recognise that Solution Focused Hypnotherapy does not claim to alter brain chemistry directly.

Instead, SFH supports natural serotonin production through lifestyle and psychological interventions, encouraging healthy habits, relaxation, and goal setting that promote well-being.

Natural Methods to Support Serotonin Production

Although SFH does not alter brain chemistry, it fosters an environment where natural serotonin production can thrive. Research highlights that serotonin is influenced by four key factors:

Positive Action – Movement and Physical Well-being

Engaging in physical activity increases serotonin levels by boosting tryptophan availability in the brain. Exercise, particularly rhythmic activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga, helps regulate mood. Exposure to natural light also plays an important role, as sunlight stimulates serotonin production, which later converts to melatonin to regulate sleep.

Positive Interaction – Social Connection

Serotonin is known as the happiness neurotransmitter, and social bonding enhances its release. Meaningful conversations, physical affection, and acts of kindness all help stabilise mood. Research suggests that strong social support networks naturally increase serotonin activity, highlighting the importance of friendships, community, and professional therapeutic relationships.

Positive Thinking – Mindset and Cognitive Patterns

Reframing thoughts and focusing on solutions, as encouraged in SFH, naturally enhances serotonin production. When clients engage in positive visualisation, gratitude, and solution focused questioning, they activate brain pathways associated with emotional resilience. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques further help by reducing cortisol levels, which can otherwise inhibit serotonin activity.

Positive Purpose – Meaning and Goal-Setting

Having a sense of purpose and working towards meaningful goals supports stable serotonin levels. Engaging in learning, creativity, volunteering, or mentoring provides a long-term boost to mental well-being. SFH helps clients develop a clear vision for their future, reinforcing motivation and sustaining personal growth.

Considerations for Hypnotherapists

BPD is a complex condition that often requires a multidisciplinary approach. While SFH can be beneficial, it should be integrated within a broader treatment plan. Hypnotherapists must work within their professional competence, collaborate with healthcare providers, and obtain informed consent, ensuring that clients understand the scope and limitations of SFH in treating BPD.

Professional Guidelines in the UK

The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy promotes SFH but does not provide specific guidelines for working with BPD. Practitioners are encouraged to seek additional training if needed.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy emphasises ethical practice and competence but does not publicly specify recommendations for treating BPD.
The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy sets professional standards for hypnotherapists, though specific guidance on BPD treatment is not outlined.
Hypnotherapists should work within professional boundaries, consult with supervisors, and follow ethical standards set by accrediting bodies.

Conclusion

As our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, it is clear that conditions such as BPD cannot be reduced to simple chemical imbalances. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy provides a valuable, evidence-based approach that fosters resilience, self-regulation, and positive change.

Rather than focusing on brain chemistry, SFH helps clients cultivate a healthy mindset and lifestyle that supports emotional stability. By working within ethical and professional boundaries, hypnotherapists can integrate the latest research into their practice, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their clients.