Yes, people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often cry more frequently due to intense emotional dysregulation, meaning they experience emotions (like sadness, anger, or emptiness) much more intensely and for longer periods, with less ability to return to a baseline, leading to disproportionate emotional reactions, including crying fits, compared to non-patients. While they might cry more often, their underlying capacity or "proneness" to cry isn't necessarily different; rather, they are exposed to more emotionally charged situations and have less awareness of the impact of their tears on others.
As predicted, compared to non-patients, BPD patients reported a higher crying frequency but a similar proneness to crying in response to negative and positive stimuli, and similar levels of inhibition and control. BPD patients further reported a lower awareness of the interpersonal effects of crying than non-patients.
Many people with BPD describe a persistent sense of emptiness that's different from depression. It's like having a hole in your sense of self that you're constantly trying to fill through relationships, achievements, or behaviors that might seem impulsive to others but feel necessary for emotional survival.
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.
Common signs of a BPD episode include:
Intense mood swings that shift quickly (sometimes within minutes or hours) Fear of rejection or abandonment, even from small cues. Impulsive behavior or difficulty calming down. Feelings of emptiness, dissociation, or disconnection.
BPD Meltdown
During a meltdown, people may experience extreme mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty calming down. Understanding how BPD contributes to meltdowns is crucial for developing coping strategies and providing support to manage and navigate these overwhelming emotional experiences.
What is the BPD Stare? The BPD stare is a piercing and intense gaze that can be unsettling for others. The stare can be triggered by emotional distress, anxiety, or anger, but these intense emotions can be difficult for others to interpret or respond to.
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.
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Splitting is a thinking pattern where things feel extreme. When someone is splitting, they may see everything as all good or all bad, perfect or terrible. They may love or hate something with no in between. People with BPD, including those with quiet BPD, often struggle to see the gray area in situations.
Symptoms - Borderline personality disorder
Many Autistic people are misdiagnosed with borderline/emotionally unstable personality disorder (BPD/EUPD), with most professionals preferring to accept the initial diagnosis rather than acknowledging the realities of what it means to be Autistic.
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.
A person with BPD fluctuates between calm and anger, happiness and sadness, affection and coldness, and empathy and anger. Their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can change at any time. Their powerful emotions can be provoked by any incident, regardless of its seeming insignificance.
Depression and Anxiety
Frequent crying can also be a symptom of underlying mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. In depression, emotions often become overwhelming, and individuals may cry for what seems like no reason at all.
A common misdiagnosis and coexisting disorder with BPD are bipolar disorders.
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.
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.
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).
Excessive crying or crying spells can be prevalent in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This article will explore the link between BPD and crying spells, discussing the reasons behind these emotional outbursts and suggesting ways to manage them effectively.
How can I help myself in the longer term?
What does a Quiet BPD meltdown look like? The meltdown often involves self-directed criticism, self-blame, withdrawal, or any self-targeted impulsive behavior. Instead of expressing their feelings out loud, they direct their emotions inwardly.
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.
Uncommon symptoms of borderline personality disorder
Masking and Personality Disorders
People with BPD often hide intense emotions to avoid conflict or rejection. This might look like: Suppressing anger or distress. Changing opinions or behavior to match others.