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Let’s talk about BPD: What it is and what it isn’t. (A thread)
What is BPD?
BPD, or Borderline Personality Disorder, is a mental disorder that affects how a person perceives themself and their place in the world. BPD often comes with mood swings and a chronic self-doubt with everything to do in regards to oneself.
BPD, or Borderline Personality Disorder, is a mental disorder that affects how a person perceives themself and their place in the world. BPD often comes with mood swings and a chronic self-doubt with everything to do in regards to oneself.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
One with BPD will often view things using “black and white” thinking. This can apply to their relationships. They may adore someone in one instant and despise them in the next. The “all or nothing” thought pattern affects every aspect of one’s life.
One with BPD will often view things using “black and white” thinking. This can apply to their relationships. They may adore someone in one instant and despise them in the next. The “all or nothing” thought pattern affects every aspect of one’s life.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
Fear of abandonment is prevalent in BPD, whether it’s real or imagined, and those with BPD may go to drastic measures to avoid abandonment. This may go as far as breaking it off with a partner because their partner can’t abandon them if they leave first.
Fear of abandonment is prevalent in BPD, whether it’s real or imagined, and those with BPD may go to drastic measures to avoid abandonment. This may go as far as breaking it off with a partner because their partner can’t abandon them if they leave first.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
People with BPD often have an unstable view of who they are and may even lack a sense of self. They may think they’re great one moment and scum the next. As you’ll notice, this ‘flip of the switch’ mentality & behavior may be one of BPD’s biggest indicators.
People with BPD often have an unstable view of who they are and may even lack a sense of self. They may think they’re great one moment and scum the next. As you’ll notice, this ‘flip of the switch’ mentality & behavior may be one of BPD’s biggest indicators.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
Those with BPD suffer with anger & trouble controlling it more often than not. They may feel inappropriate/disproportionate rage that seems to flare up instantaneously. Because of this anger a lot of people with BPD have trouble self-regulating in many ways.
Those with BPD suffer with anger & trouble controlling it more often than not. They may feel inappropriate/disproportionate rage that seems to flare up instantaneously. Because of this anger a lot of people with BPD have trouble self-regulating in many ways.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
Aside from anger, people with BPD may experience a never ending sense of emptiness, boredom, and/or disinterest. Paranoia of the intention of others may present, and some symptoms of dissociation (Ex. out of body experience) may occur in those with BPD.
Aside from anger, people with BPD may experience a never ending sense of emptiness, boredom, and/or disinterest. Paranoia of the intention of others may present, and some symptoms of dissociation (Ex. out of body experience) may occur in those with BPD.
What is BPD? (Cont.)
Guilt and shame are common emotions experienced by people with BPD. This guilt may go as far as feeling ashamed for existing, feeling like a burden, or convincing oneself that they ruined a conversation that in reality went fine.
Guilt and shame are common emotions experienced by people with BPD. This guilt may go as far as feeling ashamed for existing, feeling like a burden, or convincing oneself that they ruined a conversation that in reality went fine.
BPD & Its Siblings
BPD is part of the cluster B personality disorders. This also includes ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder), HPD (Histrionic Personality Disorder), and NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). This cluster is often heavily and unfairly stigmatized.
BPD is part of the cluster B personality disorders. This also includes ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder), HPD (Histrionic Personality Disorder), and NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). This cluster is often heavily and unfairly stigmatized.
The Risks of BPD
CW Eating disorder , drug use , drinking , unsafe sex
To cope with the emotional rollercoaster that is BPD, many who suffer from it turn to impulsive and even dangerous behaviors such as drinking, drug use, over/under eating, unsafe sex, and excessive spending.
CW Eating disorder , drug use , drinking , unsafe sex
To cope with the emotional rollercoaster that is BPD, many who suffer from it turn to impulsive and even dangerous behaviors such as drinking, drug use, over/under eating, unsafe sex, and excessive spending.
The Risks of BPD (Cont.)
CW Self-harm , suicide
Many with BPD turn to more blatant self-harm to attempt to regulate their feelings. They may also have recurring thoughts of suicide or recurring suicidal behavior. What most may consider “minor” may trigger those with BPD.
CW Self-harm , suicide
Many with BPD turn to more blatant self-harm to attempt to regulate their feelings. They may also have recurring thoughts of suicide or recurring suicidal behavior. What most may consider “minor” may trigger those with BPD.
Why is it called BPD?
The term BPD was coined by Adolf Stern in 1938. He described a group of patients that he believed to be suffering from a mild form of schizophrenia (now disproven), and considered them to be on the “borderline” between neurosis and psychosis.
The term BPD was coined by Adolf Stern in 1938. He described a group of patients that he believed to be suffering from a mild form of schizophrenia (now disproven), and considered them to be on the “borderline” between neurosis and psychosis.
What causes BPD?
There is no proven cause. There’s a link between BPD and chronic childhood trauma. There is also a link between people who are blood-related sharing the disorder. The cause is thus thought to be both environmental and biological.
There is no proven cause. There’s a link between BPD and chronic childhood trauma. There is also a link between people who are blood-related sharing the disorder. The cause is thus thought to be both environmental and biological.
What’s the treatment for BPD?
BPD has been historically hard to treat, but psychotherapy has proven to be effective. Medications such as SSRIs can help to treat comorbidies such as depression and anxiety in BPD. There is no medication proven to treat BPD itself.
BPD has been historically hard to treat, but psychotherapy has proven to be effective. Medications such as SSRIs can help to treat comorbidies such as depression and anxiety in BPD. There is no medication proven to treat BPD itself.
BPD and DBT
DBT stands for Dialect Behavioral Therapy and was created by Marsha Linehan, someone with BPD herself. This practice focuses on mindfulness, acceptance, and awareness of one’s self. DBT can help to control intense emotions & calm self-destructive behavior.
DBT stands for Dialect Behavioral Therapy and was created by Marsha Linehan, someone with BPD herself. This practice focuses on mindfulness, acceptance, and awareness of one’s self. DBT can help to control intense emotions & calm self-destructive behavior.
BPD and CBT
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and focuses on changing the core beliefs that someone has, both about themselves & others. People with BPD tend to have inaccurately low views of themselves and CBT works to better that self-image.
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and focuses on changing the core beliefs that someone has, both about themselves & others. People with BPD tend to have inaccurately low views of themselves and CBT works to better that self-image.
BPD vs. Bipolar Disorder
While both disorders are characterized by extreme mood changes and impulsive behaviors, the causes and the presentations of these behaviors are different between BPD and bipolar disorder.
(Note: Though often confused, BPD means borderline, not bipolar!)
While both disorders are characterized by extreme mood changes and impulsive behaviors, the causes and the presentations of these behaviors are different between BPD and bipolar disorder.
(Note: Though often confused, BPD means borderline, not bipolar!)
BPD vs. Bipolar Disorder (Cont.)
People with bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive episodes that last at least a week and can continue for months. The mood swings of BPD in comparison are shorter, and usually happen daily— or multiple times daily.
People with bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive episodes that last at least a week and can continue for months. The mood swings of BPD in comparison are shorter, and usually happen daily— or multiple times daily.
BPD vs. DID
BPD and DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) present to people in ways that suggest a lack of sense of self. The difference is that while BPD is a struggle within one individual & their self-imagine, DID is multiple people in one body with differing personalities.
BPD and DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) present to people in ways that suggest a lack of sense of self. The difference is that while BPD is a struggle within one individual & their self-imagine, DID is multiple people in one body with differing personalities.
BPD vs. DID (Cont.)
It is entirely possible for BPD and DID (or OSDD/Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder) to be comorbid. The major differences are that plurality is a part of DID but not BPD, and DID is a dissociative disorder while BPD is a personality disorder.
It is entirely possible for BPD and DID (or OSDD/Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder) to be comorbid. The major differences are that plurality is a part of DID but not BPD, and DID is a dissociative disorder while BPD is a personality disorder.
Professionals & BPD
There are some in the psychiatric community who dispute BPD as a valid diagnosis (though they’re the minority). Professionals also tend to miss a BPD diagnosis as it can be “hidden” beneath the other issues that come with it (such as depression or anxiety).
There are some in the psychiatric community who dispute BPD as a valid diagnosis (though they’re the minority). Professionals also tend to miss a BPD diagnosis as it can be “hidden” beneath the other issues that come with it (such as depression or anxiety).
Professionals & BPD (Cont.)
If you are seeking help for what you suspect may be BPD & a professional tells you BPD isn’t real, *seek another professional*. There is overwhelming evidence to support BPD as a legitimate disorder and diagnosis.
If you are seeking help for what you suspect may be BPD & a professional tells you BPD isn’t real, *seek another professional*. There is overwhelming evidence to support BPD as a legitimate disorder and diagnosis.
BPD Myths
Only women have BPD. - The reason this myth has existed is because of gendered assumptions. Professionals are now considering that many men with BPD have been misdiagnosed with ASPD due to anger being falsely seen as an inherent masculine trait.
Only women have BPD. - The reason this myth has existed is because of gendered assumptions. Professionals are now considering that many men with BPD have been misdiagnosed with ASPD due to anger being falsely seen as an inherent masculine trait.
BPD Myths (Cont.)
People with BPD are inherently manipulative. - People with BPD are highly emotional & express this in what can be explosive ways, but this is impulsive. Manipulation implies intent to harm & often that’s not true.
People with BPD are inherently manipulative. - People with BPD are highly emotional & express this in what can be explosive ways, but this is impulsive. Manipulation implies intent to harm & often that’s not true.
BPD Myths (Cont.)
People with BPD just act out for attention. - No. People with BPD “act out” because when their emotions reach a boiling point they’re unable to hold it all in.
BPD is untreatable. - There’s no BPD-specific medication; that doesn’t mean there’s no treatment!
People with BPD just act out for attention. - No. People with BPD “act out” because when their emotions reach a boiling point they’re unable to hold it all in.
BPD is untreatable. - There’s no BPD-specific medication; that doesn’t mean there’s no treatment!
BPD Myths (Cont.)
Childhood trauma is the sole cause of BPD. - Childhood trauma is a *risk factor* for BPD, but not a proven cause.
BPD is rare. - Though less talked about than other disorders, BPD is not rare. It’s thought to impact 1.6% of Americans, possibly even more.
Childhood trauma is the sole cause of BPD. - Childhood trauma is a *risk factor* for BPD, but not a proven cause.
BPD is rare. - Though less talked about than other disorders, BPD is not rare. It’s thought to impact 1.6% of Americans, possibly even more.
BPD Myths (Cont.)
People with BPD avoid treatment. - BPD folks have higher distrust than the average person, and it’s hard for them to open up. It’s even more difficult when the first thing a professional asks is “how will you pay me”. People with BPD are just afraid.
People with BPD avoid treatment. - BPD folks have higher distrust than the average person, and it’s hard for them to open up. It’s even more difficult when the first thing a professional asks is “how will you pay me”. People with BPD are just afraid.
BPD Myths (Cont.)
Someone must have all the symptoms of BPD for a diagnosis. - No! BPD is as varied as human beings are and will present differently for everyone. A person may have some known BPD symptoms but not others & still have BPD.
Someone must have all the symptoms of BPD for a diagnosis. - No! BPD is as varied as human beings are and will present differently for everyone. A person may have some known BPD symptoms but not others & still have BPD.
Further research:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml
https://www.healthline.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder-vs-bipolar#symptoms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430883/
https://themighty.com/2019/08/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd-types/
https://themighty.com/2019/08/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd-types/
Helplines:
https://www.bpdworld.org/helplines.html
https://www.cnet.com/health/suicide-hotlines-crisis-hotlines-to-call-or-text-when-you-need-help/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml
https://www.healthline.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder-vs-bipolar#symptoms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430883/
https://themighty.com/2019/08/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd-types/
https://themighty.com/2019/08/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd-types/
Helplines:
https://www.bpdworld.org/helplines.html
https://www.cnet.com/health/suicide-hotlines-crisis-hotlines-to-call-or-text-when-you-need-help/
Q&A / Comments
If you have more questions about BPD, want to share your own story, or even just want to connect with other BPD folks, here’s the place to reply! I’ll try to respond to all questions to the best of my ability
If you have more questions about BPD, want to share your own story, or even just want to connect with other BPD folks, here’s the place to reply! I’ll try to respond to all questions to the best of my ability
