Compassionate Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in Sunny Malaysia

Borderline Personality Disorder

We understand how difficult Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can make life seem for young people and their families. Borderline Personality Disorder can cause drastic shifts in the way that young people people perceive the world. Many teenagers experience mood swings, but in teens and young people with BPD, these changes are extreme. Their feelings about themselves and others can rapidly change from unfaltering love to extreme dislike, leading to strained interpersonal and familial relationships.

Finding appropriate treatment for teens diagnosed with BPD is often difficult. Parents are often faced with limited treatment options, particularly where there are co-occurring psychiatric or medical disorders. The treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder frequently requires long term treatment options that include access to appropriate educational pathways. The Wave programs have been created to provide opportunities for young people people to develop skills and friendships in a supportive, therapeutic environment. 

At The Wave, we are dedicated to the treatment of BDP in teenagers and young adults. Our co-educational programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of young people aged 13 -26 experiencing the signs and symptoms of BPD. 

The right treatment can make a real and lasting difference. 

We are here to help

The Wave Personality Disorders Admissions Team can be contacted on:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Personality Disorders
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01

What Is It and How Does It Work?

Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

Having BPD does not mean that a teen or young adult can’t live a fulfilled and happy life; it just means that they need to understand their condition and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

The Wave is recognised as a Centre of Excellence for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Our international team of mental health professionals have extensive experience in interventions, crisis management and treatment of BPD in teenagers and young people. Additionally, The Wave is recommended by most major global insurance providers.

The Wave is a place for young people to expand their horizons, surrounded by the beauty of Malaysia, our young people have the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and beauty of South East Asia. Our Global Citizenship initiatives, creative arts programs, education, adventure and theatre arts experiences provide our young people with a portfolio of life enhancing moments and worldwide friendships to take on to their next chapter. Whether they are writing personal statements for university, returning to school or joining community projects, The Wave graduates have real world experiences to support life long recovery.

Laying the groundwork for a bright life after recovery

The Seven Core Elements of Treatment

With a fundamental goal to support young people during some of the most challenging years of their life and help them develop the skills and resources needed to navigate this journey, our treatment method is based on the seven elements.

Combining expert medical and compassionate care with life-skills development, the seven elements aim to empower every young person who comes through our doors, equipping them with knowledge for all areas of life and supporting them throughout their journey.

Through our programmes, young people can heal, grow, and secure a healthier, happier future. We support everyone in understanding their condition and any associated symptoms whilst assisting them in developing successful and healthy coping mechanisms.

Living with BPD can make young people uncertain and afraid of the future, but our treatment program aims to do the exact opposite. We aim to build a solid foundation for the future, inspiring young people to pursue their dreams and look forward to life after treatment – and that’s exactly what the seven elements are all about.

The seven elements include:

BPD often impacts relationships and the way young people approach interactions or certain situations. They may always be understood by their peers, which can often lead to bullying. Our clinical approach is designed to dispel any myths or misinformation, and give them more information about their disorder. The better they understand their condition, the better they’ll be able to spot triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. 

Some of our clinical treatment options include:

  • Family therapy
  • One-to-one therapy
  • Expressive arts therapy
  • Somatic therapy 
  • Self-love techniques
  • Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical-behavioural therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Group therapy

Most young people who come through our doors will experience better results when clinically approved medication is combined with therapeutic and holistic therapy sessions.

Our medical director approves and monitors each person’s medical treatment and maintains regular communication with our therapists. Our team has years of experience in child and adolescent mental health, and we pay specific attention to the different medical needs of children compared to adults. We have a policy of ensuring that the young people we work with and their families are part of the planning process for any medical treatment or treatment changes.
Our goal is to provide the most effective treatment for every young person we meet. Some examples of medication we may prescribe young people with BPD include:

  • Antidepressants
  • Antipsychotic medication
  • Mood stabilisers
  • Anti-anxiety medication

BPD can often make it difficult for young people to make friends at school and concentrate on their studies properly. With treatment and support, however, there’s no reason why they can’t flourish. At The Wave, we believe every young person deserves equal and fair educational opportunities, so we’ve created a program that enables them to develop skills and certifications while working towards recovery.

Every young person has so much ahead of them, and we’re here to help them see their potential and realise their dreams. Alongside therapy and medical treatment, we provide a range of educational opportunities designed to bolster a young person’s confidence and skills for life outside of our clinic. Whatever their dream is, we’re here to help arm them with the tools needed to achieve it.

Some of the educational pathways we offer include:

  • International GAP-year experiences
  • Continuation of GCSEs and A-Levels
  • Vocational courses (London School of Art, Royal Horticultural Society, Leith’s School of Cookery, and The British Horse Society)
  • Each young person will have their own personal learning plan (PLP) to help them stick to their goals and set the foundations for a solid future.

True recovery doesn’t happen through talking and support alone; it happens through action. While therapy, support, and traditional treatment methods are key to managing BPD, we believe it’s just as important that young people are given the chance to live and learn their recovery, heal themselves and take part in opportunities that help heal others. This is done through our global citizenship programme that pushes everybody to give back and help others in the community.

In a way, helping others and giving back to the community is a healing experience in itself and can help those suffering from BPD become more introspective and aware of how their actions can positively impact others. Volunteering opportunities can also help young people learn valuable skills like teamwork and develop a sense of community spirit.

It’s easy to push wellbeing and health to the side when you’re dealing with BPD. So many things are happening inside young people’s heads, and they don’t know how to let it out. That’s where our outside/inside approach comes into play. Combining a range of fun activities, young people will slowly develop the inner resources and tools needed to set up their daily life for success. It’s not enough to just ‘live’ with BPD – they also need to be able to create a life that’s healthy, productive, and efficient.

We combine a range of creative and holistic treatments into each of our young person’s treatment plans, including:

  • Education on the food and body groups
  • Mindful movement
  • Tension, stress, and trauma release (TRE)
  • Reiki
  • Eating disorder informed yoga
  • Education on nourishment and healthy eating
  • Journalling and reflective writing
  • Team sports and group challenges

As well as giving young people a chance to develop healthier habits, being introduced to some of these activities will show them that there are so many healthy ways to release your feelings instead of bottling them up or letting them go in a moment of anger or aggression.

The Wave isn’t your average treatment centre. We’re located in beautiful Malaysia, making our back-garden home to hundreds of beautiful parks, nature, and wildlife opportunities. We’ve made the most of the space and beauty surrounding us with a range of fun and challenging experiences – all designed to build team-working skills and get people working together.

All young people have the chance to take part in a range of experiences and exciting adventures, including: 

  • Dance and drama productions
  • Fashion design 
  • Batik painting
  • Pottery
  • Horse riding
  • Jungle adventures
  • Orienteering
  • Rock climbing

BPD can often impact relationships and the way a young person approaches life. That’s why our ‘experiences’ element is designed to help bolster their confidence to try new things and give them a chance to develop team-building skills.

Young people have got so much ahead of them, and we’re keen to help them realise their dreams and ambitions, giving them the tools and resources to set the cogs into motion. 

Our dedicated care team works with each young person to develop an ongoing plan that will help ease them back into everyday life and transition healthily. We know that leaving behind the security and familiarity of treatment can be a little daunting, but we’re here to help each young person develop a set of goals and plans to work towards their future with confidence.

Having some kind of purpose when they leave our clinic will help set them up for their future and limit the chances of them returning to old habits. With a renewed sense of hope and inspiration, they’ll be more likely to stick to their goals and go on to lead a fulfilling life.



“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment Options

Recovering from Borderline Personality Disorder

Evidence based, age appropriate, trauma focused treatment is essential for young people with emotional instability. DBT, MBT and Schema Therapy at The Wave compliment the Harvard philosophy of Good Psychiatric management of Borderline Personality Disorder.

At The Wave, we strive to take all young people under our wing and provide them with a range of therapies and treatment options tailored specifically to their unique needs.

 

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a great alternative treatment approach and is best paired with traditional therapy and medical intervention. Giving young people a chance to explore a new hobby, art therapy isn’t just a fun way to burn some time. It’s also super important for de-stressing and keeping people feeling fresh and healthy. In today’s world, it’s easy to bottle up all your feelings and emotions.

For someone who’s suffering from BPD, these negative thoughts and emotions can be magnified. Art therapy provides a safe space for young people to release all their feelings onto paper and clear their mind. Instead of turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like hurting themselves, they’ll slowly learn that there are other ways of dealing with stress and worry.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a fundamental part of the daily routine for all young people at The Wave. It is a chance for them to talk, listen, offer support, encouragement, and reflect on their experiences. It enables young people to remember that they are not alone in their struggles and encourages them to find a sense of community and acceptance from others.

Group therapy is varied in nature and can focus on understanding their condition, challenging unhelpful self-talk, and managing emotions. Sometimes group therapy sessions at The Wave focus on broader topics such as mindfulness, successful communication, and developing healthy relationships.

 

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic therapy can help people understand how they feel and why they experience certain emotions. The theory is that through this process, young people will be equipped to make more informed choices about their lives and relationships.

Similar to some of the other therapies we offer, psychodynamic therapy is a talking therapy based on the concept that young people can develop techniques and coping strategies through talking and reflecting. This approach recognises the complex nature of human beings and strives to shine a light on why and how people consciously and unconsciously behave.

Frequently asked questions

Borderline Personality Disorders FAQ's​

Research shows that around 1.6% of the general population have BPD

In addition, BPD often occurs alongside other mental illnesses, such as addiction, depression, bipolar, and anxiety.

Some people will respond well to medication when managing symptoms associated with BPD. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not explicitly approved medications for this condition. Often medication works to treat the coexisting conditions which some people struggle with.

Whilst medication can work successfully in managing symptoms, individual and group therapy is generally the most effective treatment option.

Like many other psychological disorders, it is not completely clear why BPD develops. It is believed that they may be the result of a combination of factors, including a genetic predisposition to the condition, which is triggered by stressful or traumatic events in early family life.

Young people with this condition may have other family members with a personality disorder or other mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety.

Research suggests that anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant or resistant food intake disorder (ARFID), binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified are all likely to occur alongside borderline personality disorder.

Eating disorders and borderline personality disorder have an onset during the early-to late teens, with new cases less often seen in the 30’s and onwards. 

Studies show that young people with a combined diagnosis are more inclined to show traits of perfectionism, place a higher value on appearance and have a greater fear of rejection by others than their peers. 

Young people with a combined diagnosis are more likely to embark or or be interested in cosmetic surgery, be diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and to have depression and social anxiety. 

Professional associations and memberships

We are here to help

Have any questions or want to get started with the admissions process? Fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    London, United Kingdom