C-Ptsd and Borderline Personality Disorder
If you haven’t already, head to my article on C-PTSD to get a sense of the symptoms it comes with. In this article, I’ll clarify the differences and similarities between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
Criteria needed for a BPD Diagnosis:
Pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect. Marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present is various contexts indicated by 5 or more:
Frantic efforts to avoid real or expected abandonment
Interpersonal relationships that are intense and unstable, alternating between idolizing others and then devaluing them
Persistent unstable sense of self or self-image
Impulsive in at least 2 areas that are potentially harmful to self: spending, sex, substance use, reckless driving, binge eating
Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
Unstable affect due to reactivity (intense irritability, intense episodes of dysphoria, or anxiety lasting a few hours and rarely more than a few days)
Chronic sense of emptiness
Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (temper, constantly angry, physical fights)
Transient, stress-related paranoia or severe dissociative symptoms
Compare and Contrasting BPD and C-PTSD
Similarities:
Both diagnoses come with struggles in interpersonal relationships
Both diagnoses entail affect dysregulation
Both diagnoses come with dissociative symptoms
Both diagnoses involve negative self-image to some degree
Both diagnoses can come with traumatic histories
Differences:
Individuals with CPTSD tend to avoid relationships or lack trust in others while folks with BPD seek out relationships but fear abandonment
Individuals with CPTSD struggle to regulate and may end up numbing themselves or over-regulating while folks with BPD tend to appear under-regulated with very intense emotional responses
There is a re-experiencing component to CPTSD that is not always there or necessary for diagnosis in BPD
The self is more stable in CPTSD, with dissociation causing temporary disruption while folks with BPD struggle with frequent shifts in sense of self and self-image. Folks with CPTSD struggle with feelings of shame and worthlessness.
Summary
Previous research shows that it is not uncommon to see individuals diagnosed with PTSD initially be diagnosed with BPD later. Both can exist at the same time and at other times, misdiagnosis occurs. Regardless of your diagnosis of either or both of these, it is possible to live well and experience healing over time.
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