Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): A Quick Guide

You probably have heard about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) at some point in your life. Or maybe you know about someone who is currently making do with this condition. Well, BPD is a mental health condition often characterized by symptoms, such as emotional instability, impulsivity, and impaired interpersonal relationships.

One notable symptom of that most people tend to overlook despite being prevalent among individuals battling this medical condition is dissociation. This article briefly examines some of the things you should know about BPD dissociation, including the therapeutic approaches for managing this symptom. Read on below!

BPDDissociation: A Closer Look

You can refer to dissociation as a mental process in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. The symptoms of dissociation range from mild, such as daydreaming, to severe, such as feeling disconnected from one’s own body or experiencing the world as unreal.

That leaves many wondering how BPD and dissociation blend together. Well, there’s no denying the dissociative symptoms are prevalent in individuals with BPD. The strongemotional pain that people with BPD experience has the potential to trigger dissociative states. It is believed that dissociation is a defense mechanism, helping the individual cope with overwhelming emotional distress.

An important point worth taking note of is that a high number of people battling BPD have histories of childhood trauma or neglect. Dissociation is a common response to severe trauma, serving as a coping mechanism during the traumatic event and continuing in response to distressing feelings or situations in the course of their life.

Luckily, we now have treatment solutions for BPD dissociation. In most cases, it entails treatment through psychotherapy. To be more precise, therapies that aim to help an individual learn new ways to cope with distressing emotions.

One such treatment option is the renowned Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Actually, this is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals develop skills to handle distress, regulate emotions, be mindful of the present moment, and enhance interpersonal effectiveness. All these are vital for managing BPD dissociation.