Q. What is the difference between Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder and BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)?
I am finding it difficult to see where I fit in.
A. I have had several letters asking this question. As
I have known very little about BPD, I did some research into the current
thinking on BPD. As nearly as I can see, trauma doesn't by itself
cause BPD. The newer thinking on this painful experience is that there
is a strong biological component to Borderline Personality Disorder.
What the current thinking suggests to me is that some
people, unfortunately, have a more difficult time with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder than others. The feelings experienced by trauma survivors
are, by themselves, quite painful. I suspect that people with BPD
have more pain.
I don't think that trauma causes BPD nor do I believe
that BPD causes PTSD. These are two different conditions. Some people
have both.
