"containing" a text area

Here's the scenario:

I am creating a custom subtab in NS. I have a few check boxes and drop down lists. But when I add a text area field, and enter a lot of information, it wants to stretch the entire text across the whole subtab and causes all of the other elements of the tab to be skewed.

Is there a way to limit the text area field so it doesn't do this? I would like a fixed width for the text box once the information has been saved.

In the field settings I've tried to limit the width/height, but this only effects the way the text area looks when it's being edited. Once saved, the data runs across the entire tab. I also tried to make it it's own column, but this then "pushes" the other columns so the are smashed against the side of the window.