Characteristics of BPD

Hello all. Welcome.

I wanted to take a moment today to start a discussion on the debilitating symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. Let us open the dialogue on what impacts your life the most.

As a suffer of Borderline Personality Disorder characteristics, I understand this set of symptoms is complex and intensely overwhelming. We are often described as "too sensitive" by our peers and family members due to the emotional outbursts that often accompany this condition. Let this be a safe place to land. Somewhere you can pour your heart out. For a complete list of Borderline Personality symptoms click here.

Personally, mood instability and unstable interpersonal relationships are my biggest hurdles. For years I was convinced I was bi-polar, but I felt like I was jamming a square into a round hole. It just didn't match up. Primarily because my episodes are relatively short and fast when compared with manic depression. (Bi-Polar disorder has a similar feature referred to as "rapid-cyling" which is characterized by rapid mood changes in a short period of time.) Additionally, my marriage often suffers as I struggle with the extreme idealization and devaluation of my husband, as well as, inappropriate rage and irritability. This is grossly unfair to him, but he is loving and compassionate enough to work through this with me. I also experience extreme identity disturbance and paranoid thoughts. I often check the bathroom mirror to affirm that I do in fact exist. Further, I struggled intensely with a ten year battle against self-injury and an eating disorder in my early twenties.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE, despite BPD initiating and maintaining feelings of complete and utter emptiness.

This is such a difficult diagnosis that truly reaches into every single realm of our life. I encourage you to open up and talk about it.

Thank you.