Intense and unstable relationships: People with borderline personality disorder often have difficulty maintaining stable and healthy relationships. They may experience intense and unpredictable emotions, leading to frequent conflicts and breakups.
- Fear of abandonment: Individuals with borderline personality disorder often have an intense fear of being abandoned or rejected. They may go to great lengths to avoid real or perceived abandonment, such as becoming overly dependent on others or engaging in impulsive behaviors.
- Emotional instability: People with borderline personality disorder often experience rapid and intense mood swings. They may go from feeling extremely happy to extremely sad or angry within a short period of time, and these emotions can be triggered by seemingly minor events.
- Impulsive behaviors: Individuals with borderline personality disorder may engage in impulsive behaviors, such as reckless driving, substance abuse, binge eating, or excessive spending. These behaviors are often used as a way to cope with intense emotions or to seek attention.
- Self-destructive behaviors: People with borderline personality disorder may engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as self-harm or suicidal ideation. These behaviors are often a result of feeling overwhelmed by emotions or a desire to escape emotional pain.
- Chronic feelings of emptiness: Individuals with borderline personality disorder often describe feeling empty or numb inside. They may have difficulty finding a sense of purpose or meaning in their lives, leading to a constant sense of dissatisfaction.
- Identity disturbance: People with borderline personality disorder may have a distorted or unstable sense of self. They may struggle with their identity, frequently changing their goals, values, or interests to fit in with others or to avoid abandonment.
- Intense anger and irritability: Individuals with borderline personality disorder may have difficulty controlling their anger and may experience frequent outbursts or episodes of rage. They may also have a tendency to hold grudges or become easily irritated by minor things.
- Dissociation: People with borderline personality disorder may experience episodes of dissociation, where they feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, or surroundings. This can manifest as feeling like they are in a dream-like state or observing themselves from outside their body.
- Chronic feelings of loneliness and isolation: Individuals with borderline personality disorder often feel a deep sense of loneliness and isolation, even when surrounded by others. They may struggle to form and maintain meaningful connections with others due to their intense emotions and fear of abandonment.
It is important to note that only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose borderline personality disorder. If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, it is recommended to seek professional help for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. BPD can be a result of insecure childhood attachments. Many people want attention and love, then as soon as they get it, become fearful of abandonment and push others away.
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