You don't have to tell your boss that you have BPD, but some people find that being transparent actually improves relationships at work. You may find it easier to explain your mood swings and impulsive behaviours or ask for help when you need it.
As long as you know what your rights are and you have decided what degree of disclosure will make you comfortable in your workplace, talking to your boss about leave for treatment should go smoothly. Don't be afraid to bring in your psychiatrist or therapist if necessary.
There is still much stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder, even among some in the clinical community, which is unfortunate. When it comes to whether you disclose your diagnosis, remember that this is your choice, and it's important to make it from a rational place — from your Wise Mind.
Many people with BPD feel emotions deeply and find working in a caring role fulfilling. If you are an empathetic person, consider jobs such as teaching, childcare, nursing and animal care.
It is certainly possible to have BPD and success in education and employment. In fact, many maintain strong careers when able to control BPD symptoms. On the other hand, some people with BPD have trouble with their career in which some are unemployed, underemployed or unhappy in their jobs.
People who suffer from BPD often also suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, and/or anxiety disorders. To qualify for disability benefits through Social Security on the basis of BPD, you need to either meet SSA's Blue Book listing or demonstrate that your BPD makes it impossible for you to work.
Be as consistent with your behavior toward them as you can. Try to keep things on decent, civil terms and document everything. Cover yourself at every turn. Learn as much as you can about Borderline Personality Disorder and try not to take any irrational actions personally.
While researchers are still trying to pin down the precise areas where BPD and autism overlap, it seems clear that many traits are indeed shared, especially among females. In one study, nearly half of women diagnosed with BPD also met diagnostic criteria for autism when assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient.
Results found in a 2014 study found the average length of a BPD relationship between those who either married or living together as partners was 7.3 years. However, there are cases where couples can stay together for 20+ years.
Gaslighting is by no means unique to individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but certain symptoms make it more likely for people with BPD to feel gaslighted by others and create circumstances where others feel gaslighted by them. Gaps in memory result from dissociation.
Talking about your mental health doesn't need to be scary or over-complicated, you can start the conversation by simply saying, “I need to get something off my chest” or “I need to talk, do you have time to listen?” Just remember to tell your boss only what is necessary.
Your boss can fire you because you are not a good fit, for a bad attitude, after conflict with another employee, or simply because they don't like you. Nevertheless, your employer must fire you fairly.
According to the DSM-5, BPD can be diagnosed as early as at 12 years old if symptoms persist for at least one year. However, most diagnoses are made during late adolescence or early adulthood.
Myth: BPD Is a Rare Condition
It is estimated that more than 14 million Americans have BPD, extrapolated from a large study performed in 2008. An estimated 11% of psychiatric outpatients, 20% of psychiatric inpatients, and 6% of people visiting their primary health care provider have BPD.
Researchers have used MRI to study the brains of people with BPD. MRI scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body. The scans revealed that in many people with BPD, 3 parts of the brain were either smaller than expected or had unusual levels of activity.
Childhood trauma such as sexual, emotional, or physical abuse also may lead to the onset of borderline personality disorder. Unstable relationships are a main symptom of BPD , and children with traumatic backgrounds or unhealthy family relationships may be more prone to developing BPD later in life.
There have been a few twin studies of BPD, which have shown that 42% of variation in BPD is caused by genetics and 58% is caused by other factors, such as the environment. This suggests that BPD is fairly strongly related to genetic causes.
The Fair Employment and Housing Act
It also protects you if you have a history or record of a mental disability, or if you have a perceived mental disability. Your employer is not permitted to terminate you because of a mental disability or because you requested a reasonable accommodation for your mental disability.
Borderline personality traits can cause seriously disruptive effects in the workplace. Intense emotions, impulsive behavior, subtle divisiveness and disaffection all contribute to discord and disunity.
For example, someone with BPD may misperceive the intentions of a loved one and believe that they are being “treated like a child.” This individual may go to a close family member to gossip which causes this person to want to get involved in the argument and “make things better.” To avoid feeding into this behavior, ...