Can famous people be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
BPD is a mental disorder that affects a personemotions and identity. It affects the way a person deals with the world. This leads to problematic relationships and high-risk behavior. In this article, I researched the symptoms of BPD and compared them to famous people known to suffer from mental health issues.
Before we talk about possible celebrities with BPD, what are the behavioral traits?
Behavioral features of borderline personality disorder
- Feelings: Hurts from BPDextreme emotions. They feel intense happiness or sadness, love or hate. There is no measure.
- Affinity: These extreme feelings lead to strong feelings towards partners. People with BPD becomeobsessive and fanatical.
- Black and white thinking: A person with BPD sees things differentlyblack and white;either something/one thing is good or everything is bad. There is no gray area.
- Idealize or share: This black and white thinking affects relationships. People with BPD idolize their partner or because theyfear of abandonment, they begin to hate or underestimate them.
- Fear of abandonment: Intense anxiety bordering on phobiato be abandonedleading to stubborn, manipulative and desperate behaviour.
- Distorted self-image:Unstable sense of selfwhich oscillates between extreme views such as crushingsramor overconfidence.
- High risk behaviors: Symptoms of BPD include involvement inimpulsive and risky behaviorsuch as debauchery, excessive alcohol consumption, gambling, spending money, reckless driving and extreme sports.
I can't be sure if the following celebrities have BPD, but I can recognize certain behavioral traits that point to a diagnosis of this disorder. Here are my suggestions:
12 famous people with borderline personality disorder
1. Philip K. Dick - Reckless behavior/extreme emotions
"I experienced an invasion of my mind by a transcendental rational mind, as if I had been mad all my life and suddenly came to my senses."
I believe that Philip K Dick is one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time. His themes revolve around the changing sense of consciousness. what is our perception and how does it relate to the outside world? Dick suffered from mental illness, drug abuse and psychosis all his life.
He married five times and many of his relationships ended in chaos. He committed his wife to a mental institution and intentionally ran off the road with his girlfriend in the passenger seat. Fromextreme reactionshis relationships make me think he may be suffering from BPD.
2. Jeffrey Dahmer – Fear of abandonment/reckless behavior
NASa serial killerJeffrey Dahmer had an unconventional childhood. His parents left him to fend for himself at a young age after his parents left the family home. This left Jeffrey with a deepfear of abandonment.He lived in an apartment in Milwaukee where he invited young men and women over for drinks. Jeffrey abused alcohol from a young age.
However, just as the boys were about to leave, Jeffrey drugged and killed them. His goal was to create a man "like a zombie" who would never leave him.
Jeffrey tried to drill holes in the skulls of his victims and inject bleach into their brains, but ended up killing them. He kept many skulls and bones placed on a makeshift altar. Jeffrey barricaded his apartment with barrels of rotting meat. He admitted to eating parts of his victims and sleeping with their corpses.
3. HP Lovecraft - Distorted self-image
HP Lovecraft, the science fiction horror writer, experienced a series of family deaths from which he never recovered. Lovecraft's father died when he was a small child and he lived with his mother, several aunts and grandparents. His grandmother died, causing Lovecraft to fall into a depression that worsened over the years.
His grandfather died suddenly after a catastrophic business failure. Lovecraft's family life immediately changed from warmth and wealth to poverty and loneliness. Lovecraft began to write, but it wassensitive to criticismhis job to withdraw it immediately. His aunt described his condition at the time as follows:
"...so hideous that he hid from everyone and didn't like to walk the streets where people could look at him."
4. Jodi Arias - Extreme Emotions
Jodi Arias attracted the attention of the world media after a jury convicted her of the murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander. Jodi was obsessed with Travis andidealize gaand their relationship. He could see himself climbing the social ladder by dating Travis, but during the trial it became clear that he was not interested in a serious relationship.
Feeling rejected, Jodi stabbed him 27 times and shot him in the head. Jodi initially blamed her death on intruders, but later said she acted in self-defense because she was the victimDomestic violence. A jury found her guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced her to life in prison without parole.
5. Diana, Princess of Wales - Idealization of a partner
If you are old enough to remember the wedding of Prince Charles andPani Dianohe would take you with a fairy tale. However, the truth about this relationship is that the end was tragic. You could call Diana young and naive, and honestly, she was.
When she met Charles at just 19 years old, she had already experienced the breakup of her parents' marriage and now had to deal with the relentless pursuit of the media.
Her eating disorder has been widely documented in the press, but I believe heridealizationPrince Charles explained her deteriorating mental state. He believed in the fairy tale as much as we did and is number five on the list of famous people with borderline personality disorder.
6. Edgar Allan Poe - Dangerous Behavior
“I am constitutionally sensitive—nervous to a very unusual degree. I went mad, with long stretches of terrible mental health."
Gothic crime writer Edgar Allan Poe exhibits several symptoms of BPD. He had a strange relationship with his estranged stepfather. His adoptive father was wealthy and sponsored Poe's university education.
However, Poe was enthralleddangerous behaviorlike gambling, and fell into debt, which meant he couldn't afford to pay rent on his home or buy books. Poe eventually left the university heavily in debt, but refused to return home because his childhood sweetheart had married another man.
7. Michelangelo - Black and white thinking
Michelangelo's talent is shown by the fact that the Pope commissioned him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This building is of great importance for the Catholic Church, so it would be a great honor for the Italian painter.
Many consider him the greatest sculptor in the world. He used a whole block of marble to make his figures, but they were so realistic that they looked like they were carved from stone.
However, depression and anxiety plagued Michelangelo throughout his life. Despite his excellent work, he considered painting a lesser medium than sculpture. Michelangelo was Amelancholic character, with some friends arguing with his patrons. He often quarreled with his commissioners, which I believe was due to his inclinationsblack and white thinking.
"I live a miserable life and count neither life nor honor - that is, from this world. I live weary of incredible deeds and tormented by a thousand anxieties. I have lived like this for fifteen years and I have not known a single hour of happiness.
8. Ernest Hemingway – Dangerous behavior/suicidal tendencies
The mental health of Ernest Hemingwaywell documented. He was an alcoholic, severely depressed and pronesuicidal thoughts. But I want to focus on himdangerous behaviorwhich I believe is an indicator of borderline personality disorder. Hemingway had a defective eye, which disqualified him from military service, but he somehow entered World War I as an ambulance driver.
He also flew many RAF combat missions during WWII and made several trips to Spain as a war correspondent. After the war, he hunted big game, watched bullfights in Spain and towed his own fishing boat. Hemingway, married four times, committed suicide by shooting himself in 1961.
9. Franz Kafka – Distorted self-image/suicidal thoughts
"What do I have to do with the Jews? I have almost nothing to do with myself and have to stand very quietly in the corner, happy to breathe.'
Has anyone noticed the problem yet? Not surprisingly, another author radicalized my celebrity experiences with a BPD countdown. Despite his unique approach to life, Kafka was oneembarrassingabout his appearance, sexual performance and much more.
Kafka thought he rejected women. He had low self-esteem and critics describe him as suchaddiction to parasites'. She reportedly suffered from eating disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts.
10. Vincent van Gogh - Impulsivity, wild mood swings
You don't have to be an art lover to knowVan Goghyou paint when you see them. Sweeping strokes and radical use of colors are his hallmarks. Like many creative geniuses, his personal life was full of bouts of depression, mood swings and impulsive actions (he reportedly cut off his ear after a fight).
Van Gogh experienced psychotic thoughts and behaviors that led him to spend many months in an asylum at his own request while moving away frompeace in utter despair. Loneliness and a sense of inadequacy tormented Van Gogh. He shot himself in a suicide attempt, but did not die immediately as he had hoped. He died of his injuries a few days later. After he shot himself he said:
"I shot myself... I just hope I didn't screw up."
(Video) Pete Davidson discusses his Borderline Personality Disorder #shorts #mentalhealth #therapy
11. Aileen Wuornos - Dangerous Behavior
Aileen Wuornos is one of those rare breeds. ANDfemale serial killer. Eileen was swept awaydangerous behaviorthey trap and imprison their victims. She acted as a prostitute, luring men into sexual activity before shooting them. Eileen's childhood was chaotic. Her parents gave her up when she was young and she lived with her grandparents.
By the time she went to school, she was already selling her body for food, drugs and cigarettes. Her grandfather and his boyfriend raped Eileen and she became pregnant at the age of 14. The authorities took her son and put him up for adoption.
Eileen's grandfather kicked her out of the house after his wife died. She was 15 years old and started living on the streets, selling her body to feed herself. The police finally caught her and the court sentenced her to death.
12. Susan Leigh Smith - Fear of Abandonment
My final entry on the list of famous people with borderline personality disorder is Susan Leigh Smith. Susan became known in the American media as a mother who drowned her two sons in 1994. Susan claimed they were kidnapped by a black man during a botched carjacking. However, her defense team argued that Susan's poor mental health should be taken into account.
Susan had previously attempted suicide twice in the past, the last attempt being when her married lover ended the affair. She was married at the time of the crime, butthey are desperate to start a relationshipwith a rich native. However, he stated that he has no interest in children andhe rejected herprogress.
Prosecutors believe that's why he killed them. Mental health professionals diagnosed Susandependent personality disorderbut i think it isfear of abandonmentled to such a tragic act.
Final thoughts
I'm just implying that the above are famous people with borderline personality disorder. Do you agree? Who would you recommend if asked?
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Janey Davies, dipl. (hons)
Associate editor and expert writerAlreadyA learning mind
Janey Davies has been publishing online for over 10 years. She suffered from panic disorder for more than 30 years, which prompted her to study and obtain an honors degree in psychology from the Open University. Janey uses her own experiences of stress to offer help and advice to others struggling with mental health issues.
Recent Posts Janey Davies, B.A. (With honors)(see everything)
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FAQs
Are BPD people highly intelligent? ›
Many individuals with BPD are highly intelligent and are aware that their reactions may seem strong. These individuals often report feeling that emotions control their lives or even that they feel things more intensely than other people.
What coping skills do people with borderline personality disorder have? ›Coping skills for BPD are often centered around learning to manage moments of emotional instability and/or control anger. Some techniques to help in these situations could include: Using stress-reduction techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. Engaging in light exercise, like walking or yoga.
What are the best activities for BPD? ›Activities like boxing, running, cycling or yoga might be helpful. Taking time for yourself. While social isolation can be detrimental, taking occasional time away from other people can be a good coping skill for BPD. Take the time to be alone, and recharge without the influence of other people.
Do people with BPD have a good memory? ›Studies have found that there are clear links between BPD and memory loss. One such study determined that BPD patients displayed enhanced instances of memory loss in response to the presentation of negative emotions. 1 This is thought to occur because of other severe dissociative symptoms that sufferers experience.
What are people with borderline IQ? ›Introduction. Intellectual disability, formerly called mental retardation (MR) is defined as having an IQ score below 70 whereas an IQ score in the range of 71–84 is termed as “borderline intellectual functioning”.
What should people with BPD stay away from? ›But with some individuals with BPD, you don't want to get into the habit of allowing certain things such as calls after hours, visits to your home without announcing it, borrowing your things and never returning them, driving your car and keeping it longer than they should, etc.
What triggers a borderline episode? ›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.
Is borderline personality disorder the hardest mental illness to live with? ›BPD in particular is one of the lesser-known mental illnesses, but all the same it is one of the hardest to reckon with. (Some people dislike the term so much they prefer to refer to emotionally unstable personality disorder.)
What is a BPD Favourite person? ›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.
How do you keep someone with BPD happy? ›- Be patient.
- Don't judge.
- Be calm and consistent.
- Remind them of their positive traits.
- Set clear boundaries.
- Plan ahead.
- Learn their triggers.
- Provide distractions.
What is the most successful treatment for BPD? ›
DBT is the most studied treatment for BPD and the one shown to be most effective. Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is a talk therapy that helps people identify and understand what others might be thinking and feeling.
What is the best strain for borderline personality disorder? ›The best strain for borderline personality disorder is cannabis sativa since it helps ease anxiety and boost mood. However, it's important to be aware of the health risks and side effects that follow marijuana abuse.
What is the most painful mental disorder? ›Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.
What serial killer had borderline personality disorder? ›Certain serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer, as well as being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder (not to be confused with the mental illness schizophrenia, though it is sometimes a precursor to developing this illness), was subject to psychotic episodes.
What is the life expectancy of someone with BPD? ›Results: People with Borderline Personality Disorder have a reduced life expectancy of some 20 years, attributable largely to physical health maladies, notably cardiovascular.
What happens to the brain of someone with BPD? ›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. These parts were: the amygdala – which plays an important role in regulating emotions, especially the more "negative" emotions, such as fear, aggression and anxiety.
What makes a BPD feel loved? ›Recognize in your loved one's abilities and help them realize their own potential rather than taking on their challenges for them. Let them know that you support them and believe in them. Help them take steps to become more self-sufficient, not less. Of course, this does not mean ignoring legitimate crises.
Can a borderline be a good mother? ›People with borderline personality disorder can be very effective and nurturing parents, but because the symptoms of BPD can be very intense, for many people this does take some work.
Do people with BPD forgive? ›These results suggest that patients with BPD report becoming more accepting and forgiving over time.
Why do borderlines attract narcissists? ›The Attraction
The reason why these personality types are attracted to one another is they magnetise. Each one helps the other play out their individual drama by fulfilling their needs. In the case of the borderline sufferer, when they first encounter the narcissist, they see everything they are not and cannot do.
Do borderlines end up alone? ›
Across the 20 years of the study, the rates of social isolation in the borderline participants ranged from 22 percent to 32 percent, with 26 percent remaining isolated at the end of the study period.
Why do borderlines start fights? ›Their fear of abandonment and low self esteem may manifest into them convincing themselves that you no longer want to be with them – whether there is any actual evidence for this or not. To try and tackle the “divide” in the relationship, the borderline sufferer might begin to withdraw or pick fights.
Do people with BPD have empathy? ›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.
What does a BPD meltdown look like? ›For many folks with BPD, a “meltdown” will manifest as rage. For some, it might look like swinging from one intense emotion to another. For others, it might mean an instant drop into suicidal ideation. Whatever your experience is, you're not alone.
What do BPD fear most? ›With borderline personality disorder, you have an intense fear of abandonment or instability, and you may have difficulty tolerating being alone. Yet inappropriate anger, impulsiveness and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you want to have loving and lasting relationships.
Why you shouldn't date someone with BPD? ›Dating someone with borderline personality disorder can be challenging. Your partner may have major difficulties with strong emotions, drastic mood swings, chronic fear of abandonment, and impulsive behaviors that can strain your relationship with chaos and instability.
What is the hardest mental disorder to treat? ›Why Borderline Personality Disorder is Considered the Most “Difficult” to Treat. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a serious mental disorder marked by a pattern of ongoing instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning.
Why do people with BPD lie? ›Lying, like other signs and symptoms of the condition, tends to occur because the person with BPD is unable to regulate their feelings and impulses. It's an act borne out of pain and fear. Often, people with BPD even believe their own lies.
What is the most difficult personality disorder to live with? ›But antisocial personality disorder is one of the most difficult types of personality disorders to treat. A person with antisocial personality disorder may also be reluctant to seek treatment and may only start therapy when ordered to do so by a court.
What is the best partner for someone with BPD? ›The only pairing I have seen that works well for and is healing for people with BPD is when they find a partner who is emotionally present, consistently faithful and loyal, unconditionally loving, but also sets boundaries. People with BPD can find rejecting partners and codependent partners fairly easily.
Do people with BPD feel loved? ›
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) isn't a personal choice. It's a mental health condition, and it can be managed. Can a person with borderline personality disorder feel love? Absolutely!
Are people with BPD abusive? ›Those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or those with BPD who may not even know they have it, are more likely than the general population to be verbally, emotionally/psychologically, physically abusive.
When someone with BPD pushes you away? ›Pulling someone into a close relationship and then pushing that person away repeatedly is one of the most well-known symptoms of BPD. It causes the person in question to be confused about where they stand in the relationship.
Do people with BPD like compliments? ›Individuals with BPD reported to be more uncomfortable when receiving a compliment than individuals with SAD.
How do BPD treat friends? ›It's characterized by unstable moods and emotions, which affect relationships and behaviors. As a result, friendships with people with BPD can be rocky. Sometimes, people with BPD engage in behaviors that can seem manipulative, mean-spirited, or destructive.
Does BPD count as a disability? ›The Social Security Administration placed borderline personality disorder as one of the mental health disorders on its disabilities list. However, you'll have to meet specific criteria for an official disability finding. For example, you must prove that you have the symptoms of the condition.
How to detach from someone with borderline personality disorder? ›- 1: Leave the abuser. ...
- 2: Do not try to endure your suffering alone. ...
- 3: Set boundaries. ...
- 4: Help address “emptiness.” Without becoming the therapist of the one with borderline symptoms, talk about the underlying feelings that so often throw him or her into darkness.
Results. All told, 50% of the borderline patients studied achieved a recovery from borderline personality disorder—an outcome that required being symptomatically remitted and having good social and vocational functioning during the past two years.
What angers people with BPD? ›Rage in an individual with BPD can occur suddenly and unpredictably. BPD anger triggers can include an intense fear of being alone. Two other BPD anger triggers include a fear of rejection and quickly changing views.
Can CBD oil help borderline personality disorder? ›The Omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory and found in CBD, help improve cognitive function. CBD can help reduce symptoms but is not a primary treatment to cure someone with BPD. Professional care like cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of treatment are highly advised.
Is borderline personality disorder the most painful mental illness? ›
Not only is BPD one of the most painful mental illnesses, but it's also intensified by stigma and being misunderstood by others. Fortunately, borderline personality disorder is a treatable condition, and the pain doesn't have to be endless.
What are the top 5 worst mental disorders? ›- Anxiety disorders. This is actually a group of disorders. ...
- Bipolar affective disorder. ...
- Depression. ...
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders. ...
- Eating disorders. ...
- Paranoia. ...
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. ...
- Psychosis.
Compared to non-patients, BPD patients showed the anticipated higher crying frequency despite a similar crying proneness and ways of dealing with tears. They also reported less awareness of the influence of crying on others.
What are the psychotic symptoms of BPD? ›Adult patients with BPD experience a wide range of other psychotic symptoms in addition to AVH, including hallucinations (11% visual hallucinations, 8% gustatory hallucinations, 17% olfactory hallucinations, 15% tactile hallucinations [19]), thought insertion (100%), thought blocking (90%), being influenced by another ...
Who is most diagnosed with borderline personality disorder? ›Although anyone can develop BPD, it's more common if you have a family history of BPD. People with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders, are also at higher risk. Nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Who is the father of borderline personality disorder? ›It is an understatement to say Dr. John Gunderson dedicated his life career to the treatment and research of borderline personality disorder. He was the founder of McLean's Borderline Center, and the BPD treatment center was named after him, called the Gunderson Residence. Dr.
What personality disorders have high IQ? ›Studies have also found that higher IQ is associated with more mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
How does BPD affect you intellectually? ›Disturbed patterns of thinking. Different types of thoughts can affect people with BPD, including: upsetting thoughts – such as thinking you're a terrible person or feeling you do not exist. You may not be sure of these thoughts and may seek reassurance that they're not true.
Which personality is the most emotionally intelligent? ›The finding of the study showed that introvert, intuition, feeling and judging (INFJ) personality type were more emotionally intelligent than the extrovert, sensing, thinking and perceiving (ESTP) personality type.
Do people with BPD see the world differently? ›It affects people's thoughts, emotions and behaviours, making it difficult for them to cope in all areas of life. We all see the world through different eyes, but a person with borderline personality disorder has an abnormally distorted view of themselves and the environment around them.
What is hyper intelligence? ›
Hyper-Intelligence (HI) refers to higher, super-intelligent abilities to accomplish complex tasks. For instance, hyper-intelligent humans are individuals gifted with extraordinary intellectual aptitudes and are capable of solving the world's most challenging problems.
Are intelligent people more quiet? ›You're the silent type
You'll find plenty of misconceptions about quiet people, e.g. being labeled as introverts, socially awkward and so on. This isn't necessarily true, and while not all quiet people are necessarily smart, highly intelligent people will often refrain from speaking if they are accessing a situation.
Research has shown that there is a high correlation between being intelligent and socially anxious. The higher your IQ, the higher the chance your social apprehension is higher than usual.
What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPDs) become overwhelmed and incapacitated by the intensity of their emotions, whether it is joy and elation or depression, anxiety, and rage. They are unable to manage these intense emotions.
What extreme behaviors do people with BPD have? ›People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense mood swings and feel uncertainty about how they see themselves. Their feelings for others can change quickly, and swing from extreme closeness to extreme dislike. These changing feelings can lead to unstable relationships and emotional pain.
Which personality type is the deepest thinker? ›The INTP personality type (commonly called “The Thinker”) describes people with Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving traits. INTPs are imaginative, analytical people who enjoy learning about abstract concepts.
What Zodiac is emotional intelligence? ›Pisces is the sign with the biggest heart. Nobody is more psychologically sensitive to their surroundings than this water sign, which makes them highly emotionally intelligent. They are exceptional judges of social situations and can analyze them with their remarkable EQ skills and social awareness.
Which personality type is the most thoughtful? ›INFP at a glance
People with INFP preferences tend to be creative problem solvers. They are often deeply thoughtful, curious, and imaginative learners. They're incredibly motivated by their own core values—and equally curious about the values of others. In general, they strive for and value continuous personal growth.
One of the most common misdiagnoses for BPD is bipolar disorder. Both conditions have episodes of mood instability. When you have bipolar disorder, your mood may shift from depression to mania, in which you experience elation, elevated energy levels and a decreased need for sleep.
What is borderline personality disorder superpower? ›Someone with BPD tends to think more about situations compared to folks that don't have BPD. Oftentimes, this brings some really wonderful benefits. This includes being able to catch patterns, notice subtle differences, and make connections that other people can't. So really, you're likely pretty detail-oriented.
What is a BPD favorite person? ›
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.