People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are so sensitive primarily due to a combination of biological factors, such as differences in brain structure and function, and environmental factors, such as a history of childhood trauma or an invalidating home environment. This results in a core trait of emotional dysregulation, making individuals with BPD highly reactive to emotional stimuli and prone to intense emotional experiences.
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.
But there are lots of positive things you can do to support them:
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.
BPD may seriously affect a person's ability to cope and function in a job or in school. Other common problems that affect people with BPD include getting other mood disorders such as: Anxiety. Depression.
Up to 50% of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and paranoid thoughts. BPD-related psychosis typically differs from other psychotic disorders as symptoms are usually brief, stress-triggered, and the person often maintains some reality testing.
Others may not see it, but you love deeply. Others may not always see or understand it, but people with borderline personality disorder do have the ability to love and care for others. Behind the emotional turmoil and violent mood swings lies a heart that feels exceptionally deeply.
Don't…
Passionate and emotional – When a person with BPD loves, the love is deep, highly committed and loyal to the relationship. Even though there may be struggles with attachment and fears of abandonment, these are ultimately manifestations of love.
First, people with BPD are characterized by a biological vulnerability to experience intense emotions (i.e., affective instability), which includes (a) greater reactivity to internal and external stimuli, (b) stronger emotional intensity, and (c) slower return to a baseline level of emotional arousal.
Set Limits & Boundaries
Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial in a BPD relationship. These boundaries are not meant to control or transform your partner, but serve as a way to protect your emotional and mental well-being while also considering and respecting theirs.
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.
“People with BPD are self-centered.”
A lot of the pain and anxiety someone with BPD feels stems from insecurities they have about how they affect the people around them. People with BPD tend to assume they are burdens and constantly worry they are making people unhappy, which upsets them and can trigger an episode.
Conclusions: Parental externalizing psychopathology and father's BPD traits contribute genetic risk for offspring BPD traits, but mothers' BPD traits and parents' poor parenting constitute environmental risks for the development of these offspring traits.
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).
In general, the BPD group was faster to remit than the comparison group of patients with other PDs. Taken together, these results suggest that patients with BPD are able to achieve remission of symptoms, and that the longer the remission lasts, the lower the risk of relapse.
Research has yet to show a direct connection between BPD and an increased likelihood of cheating. Rather, a hallmark feature of borderline personality—impulsive behavior—sometimes manifests as sexual preoccupation, early sexual exposure, casual sexual relationships, and promiscuity.
This clinical study of 23 borderline outpatients and 38 outpatients with other personality disorders provides evidence that individuals who become borderline frequently have a special talent or gift, namely a potential to be unusually perceptive about the feelings of others.
How can I help myself in the longer term?
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.
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.
From a shamanistic perspective, the symptoms of BPD include feeling intensely connected to everything; and therefore, highly affected by everyone and everything. The person is seen as not bad, but having a spiritual gift. They can sense the emotions of others instinctively and feel things that we cannot.
While a marriage can potentially survive BPD, it takes a lot of trust, patience, understanding, and willingness to work together through the issues.