How Does A BPD Episode End?
An emotional episode from someone with BPD is so intense that they completely lose their ability to control themselves. The sufferer cannot function properly or think rationally while experiencing an outburst of anger, depression, or anxiety. Surprisingly, there is a straightforward way to get through these episodes, but the individual must develop discipline.

In this article, we'll discuss what can trigger a BPD episode, what an episode looks like, and how to manage a BPD episode.
What can trigger a BPD episode?
Before addressing how someone could manage a BPD episode, it's important to understand what could trigger anĀ episode. If you or a loved one has BPD, you are probably well aware of the emotional ups and downs that the condition brings with it. Navigating these emotions, controlling the outbursts, and preventing BPD episodes altogether seem impossible when the triggers can be minuscule. Each individual has different triggers, but the following are some common ones:
Being forgotten or left out
Strong emotional reactions from other people
Someone not following their promise
Criticism
Discussions or places that bring back traumatic memories
People that prioritize something or someone else
An end to a relationship
People not texting or calling back in the expected time
The loss of a job
Getting told to calm down
The most common triggers for someone suffering from BPD are imagined or actual abandonment, rejection in any form, and the resurfacing of traumatic events. These triggers can lead to excessive feelings of self-loathing and poor self-image, which can trigger episodes of anger, anxiety, and depression. The triggers are different from person to person, and knowing what yours are is essential for minimizing BPD symptoms and episodes.
What does a BPD episode look like?
If you want to be able to manage a BPD episode, it is worth being self-aware of what the behavior in an episode may look like. Everyone experiences it differently, but here are some common behaviors:
An increase in impulsive behaviors like excessive spending, binge eating, or reckless driving
Intense outbursts of anger by throwing objects, getting physical, acting verbally, or impulsive revenge-seeking. Losing all sense of time and self-control, which is often known as having a "rage blackout"
Intense mood swings and an unstable self-image
Dissociating and feeling out of touch with reality
Anxiety or depression outbursts in the form of panic attacks or self-isolation that are accompanied by physical pain, typically in the upper part of the body
Emotional detachment
Suicidal or self-harming behavior
Giving other people the silent treatment
Because their emotions are so intense, people with BPD often have a difficult time recalling how their lives were before an episode.
How long is a BPD episode?
There is no set length of time for an episode of BPD. Episodes can last from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on what caused it. An episode is triggered by something that threw you out of your emotional balance, such as a fight with a loved one, job loss, academic mistakes, etc. Typically, the episode will continue as long as the trigger is present.
How to manage BPD episodes