Psychological Matters

People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) have lives fraught with emotional upheaval and frequent crises. Often their work life is inconsistent. They change jobs frequently due to being fired or because of personal dissatisfaction. Relationships usually are strained. They frequently put others into no-win situations. Friends and family become burnt-out with the constant demands, radical emotional swings, self-centeredness, and impulsivity. Risky and self-destruction behaviors are the norm. Friends and family members usually recognize their loved ones need professional help, before individuals with BPD see the need. Like people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder, people with BPD rarely admit their need for help. Instead, they tend to blame their problems on to external circumstances or other people. Randi Kreger in her book, The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder , identifies six stages family members or friends of BPD go through in the p...

I recently came across a YouTube clip from the fourth season of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey . In this episode Teresa Guidice exploded in a fit of rage and flipped over a restaurant table. I don’t watch the show or know if any of these women have a psychological condition, but I was struck by Teresa’s display of impulsivity and disruptive behavior. The scene takes place at a very nice restaurant. Teresa is arguing with a friend. When the friend becomes insulting, Teresa responds with rage. She begins a tirade while pounding the table with her fist and finally flips the table over. Several men rush to her side. She shoves one away, but allows another to comfort her. She then calms down and they end their conversation with a kiss.  In a post interview Teresa seems unaware of the intensity of her emotional outburst. She doesn’t realize she shoved her male friend. She is also out of touch with her table guests’ reactions of shock and confusion...