personality disorder
Personality disorders are as complex as they are misunderstood; delve into this diagnosis and learn the typical cognitions, behaviors, and inner experience of those inflicted.
Borderline Personality Disorder and Me
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often categorized — in short — as a mental illness where the survivor exhibits explosive anger, impulsive behaviors, and unstable relationships — with romantic partners, as well as friends and family. Due to the destructive nature of these symptoms, BPD has almost become a bad word in the mental health community. As an MSW, I have come across professionals who won’t work with individuals who have been diagnosed with BPD due to the stereotypical “abusive” nature of the disease. However, the symptoms listed above provide an overgeneralized assumption of the disorder based on only three out of nine possible symptoms — and all symptoms are frequently linked to trauma. This overgeneralization of BPD marginalizes survivors of the illness by belittling or oversimplifying their experience — particularly those who don’t fall under the assumed criteria. Furthermore, it makes finding help extremely difficult, let alone receiving an appropriate diagnosis. There are four types of Borderline Personality Disorder that all exhibit differently, and to be diagnosed with BPD, one must exhibit five out of nine possible criteria. The variation of symptoms then puts the survivor on a sliding scale of 256 possible representations of the disorder. Because of this, no one person fits 100% into any one of the four categories of BPD due to the number of possible variations. Survivors often exhibit symptoms that put them in more than one category — and sometimes all four — but the categories help survivors, loved ones, and professionals better understand Borderline Personality Disorder, possible causes, and treatment options.
By Ashley Nestler, MSW6 years ago in Psyche
I survived a Narcissist Sociopath, Part 3
Here’s the “Official” definition of a Narcissistic Sociopath” *The American Psychiatric Association describes and defines both Narcissistic personality disorder is "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. Their cold callousness and lack of empathy for others, plus grandiose self-admiration and disdain for others equal a sociopathic narcissist who believes that he/she deserves to exploit people and dispose of them when finished.
By From Pieces to Peace6 years ago in Psyche
Borderline Personality Disorder Myths
“We Are Inherently Abusive.” Conflation of Borderline Personality disorder and abusive, toxic behaviours is one of the hardest stigmas to erase. It is unfortunately also the most commonly believed stigma about us. This is because quite often people with borderline personality disorder are portrayed as jealous, controlling, often even physically abusive. The reality is however entirely different to how fictional characters with Borderline personality disorder are portrayed. There is a major disconnect in how the media, movie producers, script writers portray us. This can be a major issue for everyday people like you and me, trying to live our lives with this disorder. It is so pervasive that it has even infected the minds and beliefs of those working in the mental health profession. So even those educated in the disorder sometimes have been found to believe we are abusive in on form or another.
By Erin Shields6 years ago in Psyche
Over Time, the Narcissist Exposes Himself and Is Publicly Seen for Who He/She Is
Narcissists and psychopaths lie. They are reliant on the reactions of others to feel alive, be relevant, to exist—they talk continuously. When they are not interacting and getting reactions (supply) from others, they are irrelevant. Think of a phone without a battery in it. That is how they feel. A sense of nothingness.
By narcissistic whisperer, Andrea B. Wainer6 years ago in Psyche
Narcissists and Psychopaths Cause and Create Chaos
Narcissists and psychopaths manufacture chaos. In part, this is because they are not integrated and chaotic. They also most often were raised in chaotic environments that lacked structure and consistency. They have learned that by creating chaos and confusion, they are best able to portray their victims as "unstable." Normal people do not function well in chaos. Children thrive and crave structure. These folks intentionally create chaos in the lives of children, which lead to the children reacting in understandably negative ways.
By narcissistic whisperer, Andrea B. Wainer6 years ago in Psyche
Narcissists and Society
In this tragic state of school shootings, women being killed by their partners frequently, constant news of corruption in our family courts and movies and music industries, Child Protective Services, Police, Social Workers, the foster-care system, political offices (all of which serve as processors and purveyors of pedophilia and child sex trafficking), we are desperate for the "reasons."
By narcissistic whisperer, Andrea B. Wainer6 years ago in Psyche
Don't Wait
I sit here today feeling accomplished and generally happy. I feel ambitious, positive, healthy and capable. Tomorrow may shine a different light on my life, so I close my eyes and tell myself to live in the moment. The impending doom that I try so hard to avoid every day will eventually make an appearance. It might not be today, tomorrow, or even a few weeks from now, but the feeling of being swallowed up by the whole world and sucked into a deep pit of despair will rear its evil head. I believe that acceptance and being aware of what that looks like before it consumes you is key to surviving this whirlwind of a disorder: BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder.
By Keisha Wilson6 years ago in Psyche
The Epidemic of Toxic Relationships
It seems the past two decades have created a legion of diverse narcissists. Although, as humans, we're all capable of narcissism from time to time, what I want to explain clearly in this article is the stark difference between healthy narcissism and the toxic narcissism that creates very toxic relationships that never seem to end well (and they all end at some point).
By Michelle Arbeau6 years ago in Psyche
