Trauma or Personality? C-PTSD vs BPD

Trauma leaves its mark, but is it C-PTSD or BPD? Understanding the difference can be life-changing. #CPTSD #BPD #TraumaRecovery

[theebrettina]

Yes! And I truly wish people would look more at CPTSD before diagnosing with BPD.

[ranc]

Most therapist label traumatized women as borderline just to get rid of them and stuff them with guilt, shame and pills - and poof, the complex problem of complex trauma for therapist is gone.
Men get misdiagnosed as narcissists.

[AatmaSootra]

Whether male or female, in India, it's so rare for people to understand these problems. I hope more people realize.

[trickgoblin]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I was diagnosed with BPD back in 2017 after 2 weeks at a psych ward and while it made sense for a little while, I started to grow suspicious and only then did I discover that CPTSD was a thing and I relate to that WAY MORE than ever BPD. However, I don’t think my country’s health system knows enough about it, so getting treatment for it is difficult

[philippkoster]

Thank you for pointing out these key differences. I hope that I will soon find a therapist who is sufficiently trauma-sensitive ❤

[sparklyautisticrat]

What I can't stand with having mental illnesses (especially c-ptsd) is my memory already isn't perfect. I have things I forget easily or don't pay attention to in moments of conflict, but what irritates me the most is people who try to take advantage of it and gaslight me. Using my own illnesses against me and playing with my sanity. The moment someone tries that with me (I have a photographic and hearing memory that is pretty top tier with my survival instincts and pattern recognition) by telling me I didn't see or something, I cut them out immediately. I know right there they are not safe for me to be around and therefore unworthy of my protection. If they're willing to hurt me further, they aren't for me. 💯💯💯💯

[evecoberly]

One thought to add here is that although BPD may look different from complex ptsd, /can be seen as a separate dimensional symptomatology, I think it's very interesting to note how most personality disorders such as cluster b (BPD, BPD, etc) more often than not have significant roots in some form of childhood/developmental trauma. If this is true, then BPD might be heavily influenced or created/evolved from "" trauma"; more specifically in this case, trauma is seen as a lack of a child getting their developmental needs met appropriately, which in turn, would lead to the child developing, maladaptive schemas/behaviors to met those needs. Interestingly, most PD's symptomatology can be connected to ongoing maladaptive schemas related to a lack of basic developmental needs (such as those stated in schema therapy).

In other words, trauma/ongoing insecure attachments/severe lack of healthy co-regulation seems to be a major culprit if not a good lions share reason why all of us on some level have mental health challenges, and especially those with personality disorders.

[Lee-emlb]

My Pyschology Professor best friend thought I had BPD until she started reading about cPTSD when I alerted her to my narcissistic mother. She met her at dinner and couldn't wait to leave as mother couldn't behave herself long enough to give her barking instructions and eventually the middle finger when my friend wouldn't do as "mother" wished. She has now read about narcissistic abuse syndrome and narcissism.

[TooBrokeToAffordCoffee]

I have both and it’s a nightmare. I didn’t ask for trauma and abandonment/abuse/neglect at an early age, but I’m coping the best I can.

[garrethdaube]

thank you for your advice, this is helpful to me, I'm definitely following you, appreciate your efforts to help us all

[PrettyPinkProgressive]

Yeah, I had a therapist. Say oh you have borderline traits didn’t all the way diagnosed me with borderline and I finally got divorced and was going through therapy and I was diagnosed with CPTSD after 20 years of narcissistic abuse. For so many years I kept trying to figure out what was wrong with me, my ex would throw that I had borderline and that’s why I couldn’t be a good mom. And he tried taking the kids during the divorce. It was a nightmare three years after the divorce I no longer have chronic pain, chronic illness and I am happy as I was when I was 12 years old.

[tiffanyh]

From someone who got diagnosed with both, it's a little disheartening when you don't quite click completely in either categories.
I get intrusive memories and a sense of distrust from cptsd, freeze-fawn when faced with triggers and general ppl pleasing behavior.
But also I get bpd's fear of abandonent, the vague sense of self, paranoid thoughts in all close relationships, splitting (tho mine is safe vs unsafe which was why it took me a while to accept my bpd diagnosis because "At least it's not the angry love and hate, haha!" Hint: the anger imploded inwards).

When I go into the communites to seek help, I often feel like I'm in a bicultural limbo (which, ding ding! I'm a bicurious, asian american so i know that feeling TOO well!). Not fun :(

[leialuminous]

Yep, exactly why I was misdiagnosed with BPD for years, I've had many BPD friends, it wasn't that. Glad I finally found a psychiatrist who knows their own degree. If you're not sure, get a second opinion! The two need very different healing approaches!

[lauracapaldo]

Thank you for your explanation! It helps me know i don't have BPD.

[abbywoolfson]

Thank you. It is very difficult, being 66, i have been in therapy. Since i was 35. I have discovered CPSD . only a few years ago, just stumbling over it . I feel discouraged

[GNGU]

Thank you for clearing that up for me 💜

[Bellab]

Thank you for saying this, but I feel like it’s important for doctors to go back and reevaluate their BPD patients since PPT is treatment resistant and can be fatal. It’s necessary.

[sapri]

What about trauma from being adopted? They may not have flashbacks because they were too young to remember anything but there is definitely trauma involved.

[EphemeralProductions]

That is a very classy and nice outfit! Very professional. It looks good! (I of course don’t mean that in a creepy way. lol) the hair-do also looks very nice.

[michaelalexmc]

Is it possible to have c-ptsd as a result of bullying?