- Joined
- Mar 24, 2020
I'd say BPD is on the "post-traumatic stress" spectrum, mainly since people with BPD have the same "psychological injury" that people with (C-)PTSD do (The amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and more are all affected, just like in (C-)PTSD). There is large overlap between C-PTSD and BPD, but BPD is "a step further", they're not the same. People with BPD often meet the criteria for (C-)PTSD, but not the other way around, much like people with C-PTSD often meet the criteria for PTSD, but not the other way around.I believe that there are two different issues here, and bpd cases that don't split/dissociate severely are probably either something else, or the 80% of bpd cases which due split and/or severely dissociate should be diagnosed with c-PTSD.
I'd say people who are diagnosed with BPD but don't have trauma most likely don't have BPD but are misdiagnosed with something else, like I said above, for the women it's most likely PMDD, which is quite an "under the radar" type illness (much like most female issues: PCOS, Endometriosis, debilitating dysmenorrhea, etc) with similar symtoms as BPD, mainly the rage and emotional issues.
Honestly, DM me for a conversation about this because I think this is a bit derailing of the thread (please do tell me if I'm wrong and you guys are actually interested in this, though)
EDIT: I will compile a short list of criterion for PMDD that significantly overlap with BPD to give you an idea of what I mean.
First the PMDD symptoms and then the BPD symptoms they overlap with.
1. Marked lability (e.g., mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity to rejection)
Overlaps with: Intense or uncontrollable emotional reactions that often seem disproportionate to the event or situation (1), distorted self-image (often characterised by very low self esteem) (2)
2. Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts
Overlaps with: Frequently anger, [...] or rage, (3) unstable and chaotic interpersonal relationships (4)
3. Marked depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-deprecating thoughts
Overlaps with: Frequently accompanied by depression (3), distorted self-image (often characterised by very low self esteem) (2)
4. Marked anxiety and tension
Overlaps with: Frequently accompanied by anxiety (3)
5. Decreased interest in usual activities, difficulty in concentration, lethargy and marked lack of energy
Overlaps with: chronic feelings of emptiness (5)
6. Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
Overlaps with: dissociative rage or uncontrollable "acting out" episodes (6), impulsivity (7)
(7. Subjective difficulty in concentration
Overlaps with: "The often intense emotions people with BPD experience can make it difficult for them to concentrate." (8 ) )
You can see some of these as being a stretch; nonetheless, at least 5 criterion of BPD have significant overlap with PMDD. I wish more was known about PMDD, because these people obviously deserve to be taken care of just as much as anyone else does.
1. Marked lability (e.g., mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity to rejection)
Overlaps with: Intense or uncontrollable emotional reactions that often seem disproportionate to the event or situation (1), distorted self-image (often characterised by very low self esteem) (2)
2. Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts
Overlaps with: Frequently anger, [...] or rage, (3) unstable and chaotic interpersonal relationships (4)
3. Marked depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-deprecating thoughts
Overlaps with: Frequently accompanied by depression (3), distorted self-image (often characterised by very low self esteem) (2)
4. Marked anxiety and tension
Overlaps with: Frequently accompanied by anxiety (3)
5. Decreased interest in usual activities, difficulty in concentration, lethargy and marked lack of energy
Overlaps with: chronic feelings of emptiness (5)
6. Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
Overlaps with: dissociative rage or uncontrollable "acting out" episodes (6), impulsivity (7)
(7. Subjective difficulty in concentration
Overlaps with: "The often intense emotions people with BPD experience can make it difficult for them to concentrate." (8 ) )
You can see some of these as being a stretch; nonetheless, at least 5 criterion of BPD have significant overlap with PMDD. I wish more was known about PMDD, because these people obviously deserve to be taken care of just as much as anyone else does.
I think you’ve got terminology mixed up. Splitting when it comes to BPD refers to the black and white mindset. Like if someone the BPD person loves and adores does something that upsets them, the person would see their loved one as 100% bad/mean and would hate them. Then when that loved one makes it up to the BPD person, they would see them as pure and good and love them wholeheartedly again.
IDK how you got to the conclusion that I got terminology mixed up. I know exactly that splitting in BPD refers to that, and it's often due to trauma.
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