Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) isn’t just about unstable emotions, it’s more than that. It is a condition where a person has difficulty channeling and managing their emotions, resulting in intense responses to situations.
A person who suffers from this disorder may feel overwhelmed by their relationships and also have doubts about their self-image. A person’s daily emotions, goals, even likes and dislikes can frequently change in frustrating ways. We reached out to Dr Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai to help you understand how this affects relationships.
Borderline personality disorder is a painful cycle
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Dr Anand explains: “The person doesn’t know what to expect and all these roller coaster moments bring them to life. personal conflicts and confusion. When going through overwhelming emotions, the person is not able to think clearly or to stay grounded. He / she may use inappropriate language, say hurtful things, or act in dangerous or inappropriate ways that can make [them] feel guilty or ashamed afterwards. It can become a painful cycle.
Good or bad, emotions are extreme
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People with this disorder see things and two extreme situations– either good or bad, black or white. There are no intermediate paths. Their feelings towards people and their opinions about them also keep changing, which leads to mistrust and unstable relationships.
Dr Anand specifies: “The partners / spouses of these people might find it difficult to live together with such changes. Fear of abandonment is something that worries people with BPD. A history of intense and unstable relationships with friends, family and lovers is often seen ranging from extreme love (idealization) to extreme aversion or anger (devaluation). Anger control could become a serious problem for the person and also of concern to those around them.
People with BPD have big trust issues
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People with BPD may face problems with impulse control. Reckless driving, unnecessary expenses, sexual misadventures, binge eating, self-harm, etc., could also be part of risky behavior.
“It should be noted that these behaviors could also be part of another serious mental illness. Confidence issues are something that most people with borderline personality disorder face. It might be more if they’ve faced trust-breaking situations in the past. Feelings of emptiness, inability to cope with the current situation, or the feeling of seeing things outside of one’s body or feelings of dissociation are also seen. All of these symptoms do not have to be seen in one person, ”added Dr Anand.
For a more in-depth understanding of the subject, check out the podcast by comedians Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson ”guys we f **** d‘podcast on Star. In the episode “Do You Bring Up The Borderline? They chat with comedian and mental health advocate Amy Cardinale about borderline personality disorder and how it affects relationships.
Seek professional help
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A visit to a mental health professional can help clarify the picture. The first few sessions usually include questions about personal history, physical exam, family history and psychological tests, if necessary.
“Comorbid conditions like depression and bipolar disorder can be ruled out. The treatment usually recommended is psychotherapy performed by a trained professional. DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) are generally used. These therapies may take a long time to show their effects. You have to be patient. Medication can help in some cases of depression or self-harm. Family members may also need counseling and learn to deal with situations. New treatments have helped many people lead better lives, ”concludes Dr Anand.
Calling in a professional is the best way to deal with any mental health problem. If you feel depressed or your emotions get out of hand, please see a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
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