When people have difficulties regulating their emotions, they could have borderline personality disorder (BPD). This mental health disorder affects 1.4% of adults in the United States, according to NAMI. People with BPD experience intense emotions for extended periods before they pass. It can also be difficult for them to stabilize after an episode. Since BPD affects people differently, there are 4 types of borderline personality disorder and 9 traits of BPD that affect how the disorder impacts individuals.
The 4 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
1. Discouraged Type
Out of the 4 types, this type of borderline personality disorder is also called quiet BPD. People with discouraged BPD will internalize their feelings, emotions, and symptoms. They very rarely express anger and are less impulsive than other types of BPD. Common symptoms found with discouraged BPD include:
- Clinginess
- Submissiveness
- Perfectionism
- Extreme mood swings
- Wanting and needing constant approval from others
- Periods of dissociation
- Feeling emptiness and loneliness
- Being afraid of being abandoned
- Unstable self-identity
2. Petulant Type
People with petulant BPD have unpredictable and persistent mood swings accompanied by a high level of emotional instability. They find it difficult to maintain relationships because they feel unloved and unworthy. So, they often exert control over others, which damages their relationships. Other symptoms associated with petulant BPD are:
- Stubbornness
- Irrational or intense emotional outbursts
- Defiance
- Manipulative behaviors
- Passive aggressive behaviors
- Reluctance to admit being wrong
3. Impulsive Type
Impulsivity is the primary symptom associated with impulsive BPD. Those with this type of borderline personality disorder have difficulties controlling their impulses and tend to give in, leading to risky behaviors. Another key feature of impulsive BPD is people have no regard for others or the consequences of their actions. They also want instant gratification.
Other behaviors often include:
- Aggressiveness and becoming violent
- Breaking objects in response to anger outbursts
- Yelling loudly when upset and angry
- Binging behaviors
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Frequently using alcohol and drugs
- Overspending
4. Self-Destructive Type
The self-destructive types of borderline personality disorder is when the person experiences bitterness and self-hatred toward themselves. Common symptoms can include:
- Constant self-doubt and questioning
- Depressed mood
- Engages in self-harmful and risky behaviors, such as substance use or cutting
- Negative self-image
- Suicidal thoughts
The 9 Traits of Borderline Personality Disorder
There are 9 traits of the different types of borderline personality disorder people can experience. Generally, people must exhibit a minimum of 5 of these traits to be formally diagnosed with BPD.
1. Impulsivity
Everyone can be impulsive from time to time. However, people with BPD engage in impulsive actions as a means to cope and escape their feelings and emotions. Their impulsivity can also result in the development of co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders and substance use disorders.
2. Anger Outbursts
Emotional regulation is a major challenge for someone with BPD. They struggle to manage their feelings and emotions, quickly leading to frustration and anger. Once they are angry, they can automatically become hostile and exhibit anger outbursts, often for no apparent reason, and may not even be related to the current situation.
3. Fear of Being Abandoned
One of the more common traits of borderline personality disorder is an extreme fear of being abandoned or rejected by others. They can have problems trusting others out of fear they will be abandoned or hurt. As a result, they are often on edge, just waiting to be abandoned, which can lead to them lashing out at others.
4. Unstable Identity
When people have BPD, they have difficulties with their self-image and identity. They are not sure who they are and often change their behaviors sporadically. They can also be highly impressionable by those around them. So they will mimic the behaviors of friends and family members.
5. Erratic and Extreme Mood Swings
People with BPD usually experience and act on their emotional states when they occur. This is why they can seem happy and upbeat one minute and extremely upset and angry the next. Mood swings can happen quickly and frequently based on what emotions they are experiencing. Unfortunately, it is the person’s loved ones who usually get to experience the more intense outbursts.
6. Psychotic Symptoms
Some people can exhibit psychotic symptoms when they have these types of borderline personality disorder and are experiencing high levels of stress. They could start hallucinating, have delusions, or feel paranoid. Some people may think others are watching them or out to get them. They could also feel like something horrible is going to happen to them.
Additionally, they may become dissociative and detached from themselves. When they do, they may experience blackouts. Some people may also exhibit multiple personalities or behave like they are a different age when dissociating.
7. Relationship Issues
People with types of borderline personality disorder struggle with relationship issues frequently. They can quickly attach themselves to others. Yet, they will also start questioning the relationship, and when things do not go their way, they can feel like they are being punished or attacked. This stems out of the fear of abandonment and rejection. Their behaviors to these fears could lead to people actually abandoning them.
8. Self-harm/Suicidal Behaviors
Research has shown people with BPD have a higher risk of suicide. 84% of individuals reported engaging in suicidal behaviors, while 70% attempted suicide and between 3 and 4 attempts during their lifetime. Sadly, between 5 and 10% of people with BPD die from suicide.
People with BPD can also engage in self-harming behaviors, such as cutting. They do this because they want to feel some sort of emotional response, even if it is only temporary.
9. Feeling Emptiness
Most people with any of the different types of borderline personality disorder can feel empty inside. They engage in behaviors to try to fill that emptiness, such as drinking, using drugs, shopping, eating, or having sex. While these things can help temporarily, the emptiness continues to return.
How to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder
Treatment for the different types of borderline personality disorder includes using evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities along with medications when appropriate. Treatment plans need to be comprehensive and reflect the individual’s unique needs and treatment goals. Some of the various treatment options include:
- Individual therapy: One-on-one therapy with a licensed psychiatrist allows individuals to discuss their emotions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a safe and secure setting.
- CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapies to treat BPD. It helps people uncover their negative behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and learn how to replace them with positive responses.
- DBT: Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps people with BPD learn how to reduce their self-destructive behaviors, manage their intense emotions, and maintain their relationships with others.
- Group therapy: Group therapy provides peer support and the opportunity to learn from others who are also struggling with BPD.
- Family therapy: BPD not only affects the person with the condition but also those closest to them. Family therapy helps educate loved ones about this mental health disorder, teaches them skills on how to support someone with BPD, addresses relationship issues, and improves communication.
- Holistic therapy: Various holistic therapies, such as art therapy, meditation, and exercise, can help people with BPD learn how to better regulate and manage their emotions. Holistic therapies also help improve self-esteem and can address fears of rejection and abandonment.
- Medication management: Certain FDA-approved medications can be helpful for some people with BPD in managing their symptoms.
Living with BPD
No matter what type of borderline personality disorder a person has, they do not have to allow their condition to overtake and control their every thought, emotion, and behavior. There are effective treatment options to help people successfully manage their condition for a rewarding life.
Start BPD Treatment in California and Arizona Today
You are not alone when you are experiencing the various traits of borderline personality disorder. Montare Behavioral Health offers comprehensive and personalized care to treat all types of borderline personality disorder. Our caring and compassionate team provides a safe, secure, and supportive environment to help you learn how to manage your BPD and lead a productive and fulfilling life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
