Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD)
You don't have to struggle with a mental health condition - help is available.
Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it is treatable. Understanding your symptoms and accessing specialist care can help you feel more emotionally stable, improve your relationships and regain a sense of control in everyday life.
At Priory, we offer personalised, evidence-based treatment for EUPD, designed to support you at every stage of your mental health journey.
Understanding EUPD
Emotionally unstable personality disorder, also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD), is a mental health condition that affects how you experience emotions, how you see yourself and how you relate to others.
People living with EUPD often experience intense and rapidly changing emotions, difficulties coping with stress and challenges within relationships. You may feel overwhelmed by your feelings, act impulsively or struggle with fears of rejection or abandonment.
These experiences can make daily life feel unpredictable and exhausting. However, specialist treatment can help you build emotional stability, develop healthier coping strategies and improve how you relate to yourself and others.
Signs and symptoms of EUPD
Symptoms of EUPD vary from person to person, but commonly include:
- Intense and rapidly changing moods
- Impulsive behaviours
- Strong fear of abandonment
- Feelings of emptiness, hopelessness or low self-worth
- Anger or irritability
- Anxiety or paranoia
- Rapidly shifting views of other people
- Unstable or intense relationships
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Dissociation or feeling disconnected from reality
If you recognise these experiences in yourself, it may be a sign that professional support could help.
When to seek treatment for EUPD
EUPD symptoms can affect many areas of life, including relationships, work and emotional wellbeing. Some people try to cope alone due to shame or fear of judgement, but EUPD is a recognised mental health condition and specialist treatment can make a meaningful difference.
You may wish to seek treatment if:
- Emotional changes are disrupting daily life or work
- You feel unable to manage distress or emotional triggers
- You experience self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Relationships feel intense, unstable or overwhelming
- You feel isolated, misunderstood or emotionally exhausted
Asking for help is a positive step and does not mean you have failed. Support is available.
EUPD treatment at Priory
At Priory, we provide specialist treatment for emotionally unstable personality disorder, focusing on emotional regulation, practical coping skills and long-term wellbeing.
Our programmes follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and are delivered by experienced psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists who specialise in personality disorders.
Treatment aims to help you better understand your emotional responses, reduce impulsive or harmful behaviours and develop healthier ways of coping with everyday challenges.
We offer a range of treatment options, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Inpatient treatment for EUPD
Inpatient treatment provides a structured and supportive environment with 24-hour care. This option may be recommended if symptoms feel severe or if you are experiencing significant emotional risk.
Inpatient treatment can include:
- A safe setting away from everyday pressures
- Regular one-to-one therapy
- Intensive group therapy
- Skills-based sessions
- Support with daily routines
- Mindfulness and wellbeing activities such as relaxation or yoga
- Therapeutic community work to support confidence, communication and emotional stability
The focus is on helping you develop new coping skills, establish healthy routines and feel safer managing your emotions.
Outpatient and day care treatment
If your symptoms are less severe, or if you are stepping down from inpatient care, outpatient or day care treatment may be suitable.
These options allow you to:
- Attend therapy alongside work, study or family commitments
- Maintain progress following more intensive treatment
- Work through real-life challenges with ongoing professional support
- Access therapy either in person or online
The frequency and format of sessions will depend on your individual needs.
Therapies for EUPD
Treatment for EUPD uses a range of evidence-based therapies, designed to support emotional regulation, self-understanding and healthier relationships.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
DBT is one of the most effective treatments for EUPD. It helps you to:
- Understand and manage intense emotions
- Reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviours
- Improve communication and relationships
- Build tolerance for distress
- Develop practical coping strategies
DBT focuses on validating your experiences while supporting safer, more balanced responses to emotional triggers.
Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT)
MBT helps you better understand your own thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others. It supports you to pause and reflect before reacting, rather than responding impulsively.
This approach can be especially helpful if you struggle with misunderstandings in relationships or feel unsure about your own emotional experiences.
Other therapies
Your treatment plan may also include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Compassion-focused approaches
- Family therapy, where appropriate
- Skills-based workshops
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
How treatment can help
EUPD treatment can help you to:
- Feel more emotionally stable in daily life
- Reduce distress and emotional overwhelm
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Strengthen relationships
- Understand emotional triggers and responses
- Reduce impulsive or harmful behaviours
- Feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions
- Improve overall quality of life
Treatment is not about removing emotions, but about learning to manage them in safer and more sustainable ways.
Getting help for EUPD
If you are struggling with emotionally unstable personality disorder, you are not alone. Many people find it difficult to reach out, but support can make a real difference.
You can start by speaking to your GP or by contacting Priory directly. We offer:
- A confidential initial mental health assessment
- Personalised treatment recommendations
- Access to inpatient, day care, outpatient and online services
- A compassionate, non-judgemental clinical team
Our priority is to help you feel supported, understood and able to move forward with greater confidence and stability.