This blog is obviously about narcissists. But it’s worth looking into borderlines, because there’s a significant cross over between borderline and narcissism. Plus narcissists often go through times in their life where they display borderline traits.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), like Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), is a Cluster B personality disorder. Cluster B’s are categorised as having dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviours.

Borderline and narcissism have a lot of similarities. Borderline is sometimes thought of as a more emotional version. Narcissists tend to suppress their emotions. Whereas borderlines often struggle to keep them under control.

What Is BPD?

People with BPD often suffer with unstable emotions, self-image, and behaviours. BPD affects how people perceive themselves and interact with others. Which leads to massive challenges in daily life.

People with BPD often experience intense mood swings, unstable relationships, and a fragile sense of self. Which can lead to impulsive behaviours and difficulty maintaining healthy connections.

Despite its challenges, BPD can be helped. But it usually takes long term treatment and support.

Symptoms Of BPD

According to the DSM-5, people must show at least 5 of these 9 symptoms for a BPD diagnosis…

1. Fear of Abandonment – Intense fear of abandonment or rejection. Which often leads to frantic efforts to avoid real or perceived abandonment. This may cause controlling and/or clingy behaviours.
2. Unstable Relationships – Unstable relationships, causing extreme idealisation and devaluation. They may swing from seeing someone as perfect one minute, and worthless the next.
3. Unstable Self-Image – A shaky or unclear sense of identity, leading to frequent changes in goals, values, or self-perception. This can show as sudden changes in interests, appearance, and even name changes.
4. Impulsivity – Engaging in impulsive and risky behaviours. Such as reckless spending, substance abuse, and even self-harm.
5. Self-Harm Or Suicidal Behaviour – Suicidal thoughts or behaviours. They may engage in self-harming actions, like cutting or hitting themselves.
6. Emotional Instability – Rapid and intense mood swings, which may last a few hours to a few days.
7. Chronic Feelings Of Emptiness – Persistent feelings of emptiness or disconnection.
8. Inappropriate Anger – Intense or uncontrollable anger, often followed by guilt or shame.
9. Paranoid Thoughts Or Dissociation – Stress-related paranoia or dissociative symptoms, such as feeling detached from reality, or themselves.

Not everyone with BPD experiences every symptom. BPD shows differently amongst different people, making diagnosis and treatment tricky and highly individualised.

Causes Of BPD

Like NPD, the exact cause of BPD is not fully understood. But research suggests it’s a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Main contributors include…

• Genetics – BPD runs in families, indicating a possible genetic factor. However, no single gene has been identified as the cause. So it’s possible it’s environmental.
• Brain Structure And Function – Studies show differences in brain areas involved in emotion regulation, impulsivity, and decision-making in people with BPD. But do these differences cause BPD, or does BPD cause these differences?
• Environmental Factors – Traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse, or neglect, are strongly associated with BPD. Early attachment issues or invalidating environments, where emotions are dismissed or criticised, may also contribute.
• Stress And Trauma – Chronic stress or adverse life events can exacerbate or trigger BPD symptoms in susceptible people.

Whilst these factors increase the risk of having BPD, not everyone with these experiences develop the disorder, highlighting its complexity.

Treating BPD

BPD can be helped, and many people show significant improvement when treated correctly. Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and support.

However, like NPD, BPD cannot be cured. So patients usually have to undergo treatment for years, often indefinitely.

Recovery is usually gradual. But many people with BPD experience reduced symptoms and improved quality of life over time. However they must stick to the treatments. Because they’re almost certain to relapse.

Please CLICK HERE For A Explanation Of All 10 Different Personality Disorders

Celebrities With BPD

To show that people can lead successful and fulfilling lives with BPD, here’s a list of celebrities confirmed to have BPD…

• Pete Davidson (comedian and actor) – He publicly disclosed his BPD diagnosis in 2017 after years of mental health struggles, including PTSD from his father’s death.
• Brandon Marshall (former NFL player) – Diagnosed in 2011, he has been a vocal advocate, founding Project 375 to increase mental health awareness.

• Doug Ferrari (comedian) – He has openly discussed his BPD diagnosis for years, including battles with substance abuse and homelessness before recovery.
• Angelina Jolie (actress) – She was diagnosed with BPD in the 1990s, and has spoken about her history of self-harm, volatile relationships, and eating disorders. Though she notes she’s had significant improvement with age.
• Madison Bailey (actress, known for Outer Banks) – She revealed her BPD diagnosis in 2020, discussing it in interviews to highlight her experiences.
• Julia Fox (actress and model) – Diagnosed as a teenager, she has spoken about her BPD alongside issues like substance abuse and an overdose at 17.
• Nessa Barrett (singer) – She has been open about living with BPD, using her platform to discuss it along with eating disorders and ADHD.
• Janet Devlin (singer-songwriter) – Known from The X Factor, Janet has publicly shared her BPD experiences on her YouTube channel, plus substance abuse and bipolar disorder.
• Sunmi (K-pop idol) – She has discussed her BPD diagnosis in interviews, and has even released a song called “Borderline”…

If you or someone you know may have BPD, please consult a mental health professional for evaluation and treatment. It’s never too late to get help.

Please CLICK HERE For What Is A Narcissist

What Is A Narcissist?