They include problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may have difficulty paying attention, sitting still, or controlling their impulses. Although BPD and ADHD are separate diagnoses, they share some overlapping symptoms, namely impulsiveness and difficulty regulating emotions.
BPD individuals have more problems using context cues for inhibiting responses and their impulsivity is stress-dependent, whereas ADHD patients have more motor impulsivity and therefore difficulties interrupting ongoing responses.
ADHD and BPD share many temperamental similarities, symptoms, and traits, making it challenging for clinicians to distinguish the difference. When both conditions are present, it is possible that the "more dramatic BPD symptoms can camouflage the more classic ADHD symptoms" (Littman, 2021).
They include problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may have difficulty paying attention, sitting still, or controlling their impulses. Although BPD and ADHD are separate diagnoses, they share some overlapping symptoms, namely impulsiveness and difficulty regulating emotions.
People with BPD score low on cognitive empathy but high on emotional empathy. This suggests that they do not easily understand other peoples' perspectives, but their own emotions are very sensitive. This is important because it could align BPD with other neurodiverse conditions.
Many people think that ADHD is a result of trauma, but is it true? The answer is yes, but more for some people than others. The truth is that 90% of the time ADHD is not caused by trauma, but if the trauma is extreme enough, it can cause severe ADHD-like symptoms.
Another hallmark of borderline personality disorder is having a favorite person—usually a family member, romantic partner, or someone in a supportive role, such as a teacher or coach. For someone with this type of BPD relationship, a “favorite person” is someone they rely on for comfort, happiness, and validation.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help with both BPD and ADHD, either alone or along with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy used with both conditions. Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, may also be used with borderline personality disorder and ADHD.
While misusing Adderall can't cause BPD, it can make the symptoms of the condition more severe. Taking Adderall with borderline personality disorder can intensify irritability and agitation, even to the point of triggering episodes of rage.
Interestingly, ADHD is often associated with several personality disorders; namely the Cluster B disorders including Antisocial, Narcissistic, Histrionic, and Borderline Personality Disorders. As the name implies, people with ADHD have a difficult time focusing their attention and staying on task.
Bold – Impulsivity is a BPD trait that can be positively linked to being bold, courageous and having the ability to speak one's mind. Creative – The high intensity of emotions can be released into creative endeavours. Many people with BPD put their entire emotional expression into music, art, performance and writing.
Most people with BPD struggle with low self-esteem. To cope with their feelings, they seek validation from others. They may have legitimate feelings for you and believe that exaggerated displays of affection are the best way to keep you close.
ADHD burnout is often something a little deeper. It refers to the cycle of overcommitting and overextending that leads to fatigue in people with ADHD. It involves taking on too many tasks and commitments, and then the subsequent exhaustion that happens when we're unable to fulfill all of our obligations.
In general, ADHD doesn't get worse with age. Some adults may also outgrow their symptoms. But this is not the case for everyone.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).
ADHD signs and symptoms
Failing to pay close attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities. Having trouble keeping their attention on tasks or play activities. Not seeming to listen when spoken to directly.
A girl with ADHD may have impulsivity and be hyper-talkative. She may be verbally impulsive, interrupt others, talk excessively, or change topics repeatedly during conversations. She might even blurt out words without thinking about their impact on others. Girls with ADHD can also be overly sensitive.
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.
Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.
Narcissism is not a symptom of BPD listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, as many as 40% of people with BPD may also have narcissistic personality disorder,4 so people with BPD may also show signs of narcissism.
One of the experiences of interacting with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (BP/NP) is that they sometimes do not seem truly sorry. Even though a BP/NP may say he or she is sorry, there may be something lacking.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD). We can all experience difficulties with our relationships, self-image and emotions.