The evidence reports that around 20–50% of patients with borderline PD experience psychotic symptoms [4], also that psychotic disorders are observed in 38% of these patients and the prevalence of 20% of psychotic disorder diagnosis not otherwise specified is the most common subtype [10].
Psychotic disorders can last for a month or less and only occur once, or they can also last for six months or longer.
New research has revealed that many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) hallucinate. The study sampled people with BPD who had auditory hallucinations and found that some types of hallucinations are more common than others, with themes of self-harm being common within voices heard.
BPD is a very different diagnosis than schizophrenia, though the two can co-exist. While BPD is characterized by a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships; schizophrenia is characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions.
BPD is considered to be one of the most serious mental illnesses, as it causes a great deal of suffering and has a high-risk for suicide.”
Today, near‐psychotic symptoms appear as DSM‐5 criteria in both BPD and SPD. This makes the differentiation of BPD from the schizophrenia spectrum heavily dependent on the detection and registration of the schizophrenic fundamental symptoms.
For example, in one study, 24% of BPD patients reported severe psychotic symptoms and about 75% had dissociative experiences and paranoid ideation. Thus, we start with an overview regarding the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in BPD patients.
Between 50% and 90% of patients with BPD report hearing voices that other people do not hear (Yee et al., 2005; Kingdon et al., 2010).
People who have psychotic episodes are often totally unaware their behaviour is in any way strange or that their delusions or hallucinations are not real. They may recognise delusional or bizarre behaviour in others, but lack the self-awareness to recognise it in themselves.
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
The Victim
Individuals with BPD often feel helpless, hopeless, powerless, and ashamed. When in this state of mind, they may adopt a passive role and draw in others to make decisions for them and support them.
Conclusions. Delusions in patients with BPD occur frequently and cause distress. Contrary to tenacious beliefs, hallucinations and delusions in participants with BPD are often present in an intermittent or persistent pattern. Persistent hallucinations can be severe, causing disruption of life.
But in general, 3 main symptoms are associated with a psychotic episode: hallucinations. delusions. confused and disturbed thoughts.
The condition seems to be worse in young adulthood and may gradually get better with age. If you have borderline personality disorder, don't get discouraged. Many people with this disorder get better over time with treatment and can learn to live satisfying lives.
For example, an adolescent with BPD might see two of his friends talking in the hallway and develop the paranoid belief that his friends all secretly hate him and are planning to humiliate him.
Many people who live with borderline personality disorder don't know they have it and may not realize there's a healthier way to behave and relate to others.
BPD makes people more likely to engage in impulsive or risky behaviors, such as: Speeding or other unsafe driving. Unprotected sex or sex with strangers. Binge eating.
A person with BPD may exhibit impulsive behavior in a variety of areas, including overspending, substance abuse, or reckless driving. A person with BPD who struggles with impulsive behavior will be impulsive in multiple areas. For example, you might binge eat, talk excessively, and engage in self-injurious behavior.
During times of stress, which may be caused by interpersonal conflict or a lack of self-confidence when facing personal or professional challenges, a person with BPD may suddenly feel surrounded by menace or danger.
BPD and schizophrenia are separate conditions and diagnoses. However, it is possible for the two conditions to co-occur. One small 2018 study found that psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia, were present in 38% of people with BPD.
Identifying Episodes
Intense angry outbursts. Suicidal thoughts and self-harm behavior. Going to great lengths to feel something, then becoming increasingly avoidant and withdrawn. Paranoia, feeling as if there is someone out to get you.
Neurodivergence includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Tourette Syndrome, as well as some long-term mental health conditions, such as depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Some people with borderline personality disorder (sometimes referred to as BPD) can be markedly impulsive, seductive, and extremely sexual. Sexual promiscuity, sexual obsessions, and hypersexuality are very common symptoms for both men and women with BPD.