No, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness, not a sign of a person being "evil" or a bad person. Characterizing people with BPD as evil is a harmful misconception rooted in a lack of understanding about mental health conditions.
Yes, it is possible to be happy when you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is a treatable condition, and with the right help, you can learn to manage your symptoms and live a happy and fulfilling life. Seek professional help. The first step to managing BPD is to seek professional help.
People with borderline personality disorder have a strong fear of abandonment or being left alone. Even though they want to have loving and lasting relationships, the fear of being abandoned often leads to mood swings and anger. It also leads to impulsiveness and self-injury that may push others away.
Living with someone with BPD can feel intense in ways that are hard to explain to people outside the home. When a parent or sibling struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder, emotions often run high, reactions can feel unpredictable, and conflict may show up suddenly, even on otherwise calm days.
Not all people with BPD are manipulative or will use their emotions against others. BPD is a personality disorder rooted in severe abuse and neglect. When people with BPD do use the emotions of others against them, it's often a learned instinct.
While not all people with BPD lie, BPD and lying can run the risk of weakening trust and placing a relationship in jeopardy, since it's a mental health condition often marked by emotional volatility, negative self-perception and unhealthy attachment styles, a partner with BPD may not even realize they're behaving this ...
When you're in the throes of overwhelming emotions, you may be unable to think straight or stay grounded. You might say hurtful things or act out in impulsive, dangerous, or inappropriate ways that later make you feel guilty or ashamed.
Can People with BPD Love? Of course! In fact, intense feelings for others and rejection sensitivity often play a large role in the emotional rollercoaster. While these traits can cause unhealthy relationships, people with BPD tend to love strongly, and may even feel like they need constant attention.
Don't…
The "3 C's of BPD" typically refer to advice for loved ones of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder, reminding them: "I didn't cause it, I can't cure it, I can't control it," to help set boundaries and avoid taking on undue responsibility for the person's actions or illness. Another set of "C's" describes core BPD traits for individuals: Clinginess (fear of abandonment), Conflict (intense relationships/moods), and Confusion (unstable self-image).
People with BPD have unstable moods and can act recklessly. They also have a hard time managing their emotions consistently. If you have BPD, you may have problems with daily tasks, obligations, and life events. You may have trouble keeping jobs and relationships.
Jobs that draw on empathy, communication, and understanding, traits often strengthened by lived experience with BPD, can also be deeply rewarding. Examples include: Teaching assistant or education support worker. Counsellor, peer support, or mental health worker.
They may lie in an attempt to explain why they behaved in a specific manner. When a person has big emotions and expresses them in ways that are considered “over the top” or “crazy” as compared to most other people, the person with BPD may lie to try to provide an explanation that matches the intensity of the feeling.
While a marriage can potentially survive BPD, it takes a lot of trust, patience, understanding, and willingness to work together through the issues.
Offer Distractions. Redirecting the focus of the individual during a BPD episode can provide a helpful break from overwhelming emotions. Distractions allow them to regain control of their feelings and may help them calm down more quickly.
The severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms vary depending on the person. People with borderline personality disorder have a significantly higher rate of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behavior than the general population. Anyone thinking of harming themselves or attempting suicide needs help right away.
Conflicts and disagreements are difficult for people with BPD, as they interpret these as signals of uncaring or relationship termination, generating feelings of anger and shame.
Clinicians can be reluctant to make a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). One reason is that BPD is a complex syndrome with symptoms that overlap many Axis I disorders. This paper will examine interfaces between BPD and depression, between BPD and bipolar disorder, and between BPD and psychoses.
Patients with BPD showed significantly reduced volumes of both brain structures (left hemisphere hippocampus reduced 15.7%, right hemisphere hippocampus reduced 15.8%, left hemisphere amygdala reduced 7.9% and right hemisphere amygdala reduced 7.5%).
Why BPD Symptoms Peak in Early Adulthood. In the 20s, identity formation and independence conflict with emotional vulnerability. Research shows impulsivity and mood swings occur most frequently between the ages of 18-25.
Some common warning signs include intense and rapidly changing emotions, often triggered by seemingly minor events. Individuals with BPD may exhibit impulsive behaviors such as substance abuse, binge eating, or reckless driving.
How can I help myself in the longer term?
Some common types of delusions that may occur in individuals with BPD include: Persecutory delusions: Believing that one is being mistreated, harassed, or conspired against by others.
Being married to someone with BPD can make you feel like you're being left alone with your worries and stresses. The stress and uncertainty associated with caring for the individual through their mood swings can take an emotional toll on a spouse.
Encourage self-reflection by creating a safe space for your loved one to discuss their feelings without feeling judged. This will open up opportunities for individuals with BPD to act more like themselves and avoid unnecessary lying. It's important to stay patient when having these intense conversations.