Updated on October 1, 2026 by John Ingham
Not everyone experiences mental illness exactly the same, which is why it’s important to understand BPD in men. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a challenging mental health disorder that causes disruption in a person’s ability to control their emotions and actions. Men who demonstrate male borderline symptoms often do not make the connection between their feelings and behaviors and the fact that it may be a mental illness.
Montare Behavioral Health understands how to identify BPD in men and provide treatment that works best for their needs. We offer outpatient and residential care to help them find the right level of care for them and improve their mental health. Psychotherapy is central to BPD treatment. No medication is FDA-approved specifically for BPD; medication may be used as an adjunct for selected symptoms or co-occurring disorders.
Is BPD Different for Men?
Some studies have found differences in how BPD presents across sex or gender groups, including higher rates of outward aggression and impulsivity in some male samples and mood symptoms or self-harm in some female samples. These are population-level findings, not universal differences, and symptoms vary widely among individuals.
Some studies have found differences in treatment-seeking and co-occurring conditions, with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or an eating disorder reported more often in some female samples. People of any gender may seek treatment for a co-occurring condition before receiving a BPD diagnosis.
Symptoms of BPD in Men
Men who have BPD often have difficulty controlling their anger. To others, male borderline symptoms may be excused as a guy just being macho or an “alpha” male. These symptoms can occur in people of any gender and are not unique to men. Common symptoms of BPD in men include:
- Quick to anger
- Getting angry at a level that is not appropriate for the situation
- Yelling
- Acting aggressively, including throwing and breaking things
- Physically hurting someone else
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Binge shopping
- Difficulty expressing their emotions rationally
- Seeing others as all good or all bad
- Quickly changing their opinion of someone
A man with borderline personality disorder often does not recognize that how he acts and reacts is often out of tune with appropriate responses. It is more socially acceptable for men to raise their voices, get mad, and become physical, this means that a lot of men use that as an excuse for their behaviors. People in their lives, especially women, may also say that how the man acts out is just how males behave.
BPD Treatment for Men
Living with male borderline symptoms causes a great deal of upset in the man’s life. In addition, it impacts those close to them who often do not recognize that he has a mental illness. BPD in men causes specific symptoms to develop, and they may worsen over time if the individual delays getting treatment.
Fortunately, therapists trained in treating BPD can use different types of therapy to help men understand their illness, feel more in control, and minimize their symptoms. Common types of therapy and treatment for borderline personality disorder include:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This can be done both one-on-one and in a group setting. It teaches skills that allow the individual to manage their emotions in healthy ways and tolerate stress without resorting to BPD behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy helps men understand how the way they view the world is often distorted by their BPD. The individual learns to identify negative thoughts and emotions and turn them into realistic ones with which they can cope in a healthy manner. CBT also helps men learn to have healthy relationships with meaningful communication.
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT): MBT helps men target their emotions and thoughts and think before they react in a knee-jerk and typically negative manner.
No medication is FDA-approved specifically for BPD. Medication may be considered alongside psychotherapy for selected symptoms or co-occurring disorders. Choices include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic drugs. The clinician treating the man will discuss his options and oversee any usage of a prescription drug.
Contact Montare About Our BPD Treatment Program for Men
Are you living with male borderline symptoms and want to know the most effective ways to treat your illness? Montare Behavioral Health offers world-class treatment from experts in the field of treating borderline personality disorder and other mental health disorders. Our staff of licensed therapists helps men make a connection between how they think and feel and the ways in which they act out. By attending several types of therapy modalities, the symptoms of BPD in men can be reduced and their overall quality of life improved. When appropriate, medication may support treatment of selected symptoms or co-occurring disorders.
Contact us now and speak to one of our friendly admissions counselors. We can answer your questions about how we treat BPD in men and help you get enrolled in treatment today.
Published: 11/25/2024