EMDR Therapy and Its Potential Benefits for BPD Patients

Introduction

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can often feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster: highs and lows that shift quickly, difficulty trusting others, intense fear of abandonment, and overwhelming feelings that don’t seem to fade. For many, these struggles are tied to past trauma. One promising approach that directly targets traumatic memory networks is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

This article will take a deep dive into:

What EMDR therapy is and how it works 🌀

Why it might be helpful for BPD patients 🌱

How supplements may support emotional stability alongside therapy 💊

The role of breathwork in calming the nervous system 🌬️

Practical ways to combine these strategies into a holistic approach to BPD care 🌈

Looking for online therapy for people with BPD? Click Here.

Understanding BPD and the Role of Trauma 💔

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD is a mental health condition characterized by:

Emotional instability (rapid mood swings, intense reactions)

Unstable relationships (idealization followed by devaluation)

Impulsivity (substance use, reckless spending, binge eating)

Chronic feelings of emptiness

Fear of abandonment

Dissociation and identity confusion

Although genetics play a role, many studies suggest that early childhood trauma (emotional neglect, abuse, abandonment, or invalidating environments) plays a central role in the development of BPD.

Why Trauma Matters in BPD

Trauma memories often live in the nervous system, not just in conscious thought. When triggered, these memories can flood the body with fear, anger, or shame—causing emotional dysregulation. That’s why BPD often responds well to therapies that directly address trauma, such as EMDR.

What Is EMDR Therapy? 🌀

The Basics

EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. It is a structured psychotherapy that helps patients process traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (BLS)—typically guided eye movements, but also tapping or auditory tones.

The process involves:

Identifying a disturbing memory.

Bringing it into awareness.

Pairing it with bilateral stimulation (e.g., following the therapist’s hand with your eyes).

Allowing the brain to reprocess and “desensitize” the memory.

Over time, the memory loses its emotional intensity and is stored more adaptively.

Looking for online therapy for people with BPD? Click Here.

How EMDR Works in the Brain 🧠

Memory reconsolidation: The brain shifts the memory from being “stuck” in the amygdala (fear center) into a more integrated state in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Dual attention: The patient is “in the memory” but also “in the room,” creating safety during processing.

Desensitization: Emotional charge decreases, allowing new beliefs like “I am safe” or “I am worthy” to replace “I am broken.”

EMDR for BPD: Why It May Help 🌱

Addressing Core Traumas

For many people with BPD, unresolved trauma drives their symptoms. EMDR can help them revisit those experiences safely and reduce their emotional impact.

👉 Example: A patient with abandonment trauma may repeatedly sabotage relationships. EMDR could help desensitize the memory of early abandonment and create space for healthier attachment patterns.

Reducing Emotional Dysregulation ⚡

Studies show EMDR can lower symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression—all of which often overlap with BPD. For BPD specifically, EMDR has been associated with:

• Lower emotional reactivity
• Decreased impulsivity
• Reduced dissociation
• Greater ability to self-soothe

Complementing DBT and CBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is considered the gold standard for BPD. However, EMDR can serve as a powerful add-on:

• DBT builds coping skills.
• EMDR resolves the underlying trauma.
  Together, they create a two-pronged approach: skills for now, healing for the past.

Supplements That May Support Emotional Healing 💊🌿

While EMDR targets trauma directly, supplements can support the neurobiological foundation of emotional regulation. Here are some options often explored by BPD patients:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids 🐟

Found in fish oil, flaxseed, and algae.

Supports brain health, reduces inflammation, and stabilizes mood.

Research shows omega-3s may reduce impulsivity and aggression in people with BPD.

Magnesium 🌌

Calms the nervous system by regulating NMDA and GABA receptors.

Magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate is often recommended for relaxation and sleep.

L-Theanine 🍵

An amino acid from green tea.

Promotes calm alertness by increasing alpha brain waves.

Useful before therapy sessions or during high anxiety moments.

Ashwagandha 🌿

An adaptogen that reduces cortisol.

May help with chronic stress and anxiety that worsen BPD symptoms.

Zinc ⚖️

Important for neurotransmitter balance and impulse control.

Deficiency is linked to mood instability.

⚠️ Important Note: Supplements should never replace therapy but can serve as gentle support. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you take psychiatric medication.

Looking for supplements for people with BPD? Click here.

Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation 🌬️💨

Why Breathwork Matters for BPD

People with BPD often live in fight-or-flight mode. Breathwork offers a direct way to regulate the autonomic nervous system, helping patients feel safer in their bodies.

Techniques That Work Best

Box Breathing (used by Navy SEALs) 🟦

Inhale 4 sec → Hold 4 sec → Exhale 4 sec → Hold 4 sec.

Stabilizes heart rate and calms the mind.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) 🌗

Balances left/right hemispheres of the brain.

Encourages emotional equilibrium.

4-7-8 Breathing 🌙

Inhale 4 sec → Hold 7 sec → Exhale 8 sec.

Promotes relaxation before sleep or therapy.

Coherent Breathing 🌊

Inhale 5–6 sec → Exhale 5–6 sec.

Aligns breath with heart rhythms, increasing HRV (heart rate variability).

Using Breathwork During EMDR

Some therapists integrate brief breathing exercises before EMDR sessions to ground the patient. Patients can also practice breathwork after sessions to release residual tension.

Want to try Breathwork? Click Here.

Building a Holistic Healing Plan 🌈

Here’s how therapy, supplements, and breathwork can work together for someone with BPD:

Before EMDR Session 🧘

Take L-theanine or magnesium for calm focus.

Do 5 minutes of box breathing to center.

During Therapy 🌀

EMDR session focuses on trauma memories.

Use breathwork if overwhelmed to regulate emotions.

After Session 🌙

Journal insights to reinforce new beliefs.

Support recovery with omega-3s and ashwagandha for brain and stress resilience.

Do coherent breathing before bed to integrate.

Daily Routine 🌞

Consistent supplement intake for mood stability.

Regular breathwork for baseline nervous system regulation.

Weekly EMDR (or combined DBT + EMDR) for deeper trauma healing.

Potential Challenges and Considerations ⚠️

EMDR Isn’t for Everyone

Some patients may feel destabilized at first.

Should always be done with a trained professional.

Supplements Are Supportive, Not Curative

They may help regulate mood but cannot address the root trauma.

Breathwork Can Trigger Trauma

Deep breathing may bring up suppressed memories.

Should be practiced gently and safely.

Integration Is Key

The best results often come from combining therapies (DBT + EMDR + self-care practices).

Final Thoughts ✨

For people with Borderline Personality Disorder, the path to healing is rarely linear. But EMDR therapy offers hope by directly targeting the trauma that underlies many BPD symptoms. When combined with supplements for emotional balance and breathwork for nervous system regulation, it can create a comprehensive healing toolkit.

It’s about more than just reducing symptoms—it’s about helping people with BPD reclaim a sense of safety, worth, and stability in their own minds and bodies. 🌿💜

Looking for supplements for people with BPD? Click here.

References 📚

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press.

De Bont, P. A. J. M., et al. (2019). “Trauma-focused treatment in PTSD patients with BPD symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.” European Journal of Psychotraumatology.

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT Skills Training Manual. Guilford Press.

Parker, G., et al. (2015). “Omega-3 supplementation and borderline personality disorder.” Psychiatry Research.

Murao, E., & Shimizu, E. (2021). “The role of magnesium in psychiatric disorders.” Nutrients.

Jerath, R., et al. (2015). “Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: Neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts autonomic nervous system.” Medical Hypotheses.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Borderline Personality Disorder.