The 9 core traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) from the DSM-5 involve frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, unstable relationships, unstable self-image, impulsivity, recurrent self-harm/suicidal behavior, emotional instability (mood swings), chronic emptiness, intense anger, and stress-related paranoia or dissociation. A diagnosis requires at least five of these nine criteria, highlighting the varied ways BPD can present.
The physical and mental health impact of this disorder is so severe that life expectancy among people who have BPD is about 20 years less than the national average.
BPD behaviors include intense mood swings, unstable relationships, a distorted self-image, impulsivity (like binge eating, spending, risky sex, or substance abuse), chronic feelings of emptiness, frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, inappropriate intense anger, self-harm (cutting, burning), and recurrent suicidal threats or actions. These behaviors stem from deep emotional pain and difficulty regulating emotions, often causing significant distress in daily life, say experts at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Mayo Clinic.
The Unstable Sense of Self in BPD
A person with BPD often grapples with a deeply unstable self-image. This means they have difficulty maintaining a consistent and coherent sense of themselves. Their interests, values, and self-perception can frequently change, making them unsure about their identity.
Individuals with BPD often experience intense and rapidly shifting emotions, have difficulty regulating their emotions, and engage in impulsive behavior, including recurrent self-harm and suicidality.
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.
Empathy and compassion – People with BPD experience greater internal and external turmoil. However, this in turn allows for the ability to recognise and have greater insight for others in similar situations.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been described as a condition of intolerance of aloneness. This characteristic drives distinguishing criteria, such as frantic efforts to avoid abandonment. Both BPD and loneliness are linked with elevated mortality risk and multiple negative health outcomes.
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).
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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.
People with BPD often rely on routines and predictability to feel grounded. Sudden changes in plans, schedules, or relationships can leave them feeling lost or unsafe. This can provoke confusion, anxiety, or emotional volatility. The unpredictability makes them feel out of control, which heightens emotional distress.
Symptoms - Borderline personality disorder
Look after your physical health
Investigators found a disproportionately higher risk for suicide and nonsuicidal death in patients with BPD who did not achieve recovery.
Personality disorders that are susceptible to worsening with age include paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, obsessive compulsive, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent, Dr. Rosowsky said at a conference sponsored by the American Society on Aging.
Sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect.
Relationships between people with BPD and NPD can help each party fulfil their needs – albeit in an unhealthy manner. For the BPD sufferer, they see everything they can't do in the narcissist – it's someone who appears confident and self-assured.
Commonly-prescribed mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants for those with BPD include:
Compared to non-patients, BPD patients showed the anticipated higher crying frequency despite a similar crying proneness and ways of dealing with tears. They also reported less awareness of the influence of crying on others. However, Cluster C-PD patients showed a very similar pattern of findings.
Among the myriad symptoms, some individuals with BPD report a significant aversion to touch. Sensory sensitivity in BPD is not well-documented, but anecdotal evidence and clinical observations suggest it is a good experience for many.
How to calm a BPD episode? Grounding techniques, distraction, validation, DBT skills, cold-water face splashes, and crisis coping plans can help calm intense emotional episodes.
Ability to sense emotions of others.
Another gifting of BPD is a keen awareness of the emotions of others. Oftentimes a person with BPD will sense an emotion such as anger from someone else that the person is ignorant or in denial of feeling.
Research indicates that BPD is linked to above-average intelligence (IQ > 130) and exceptional artistic talent (Carver, 1997). Because your partner with BPD may be exceptionally bright, they digest information and discover answers to problems more quickly than the average person.
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 ...