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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryPTSD vs BPD: Similarities and Differences
Table of Contents:OverviewSymptoms of PTSD vs BPDCauses of PTSD vs. BPDDifferences in TreatmentFinding The Right Support
PTSDRead Time: 6 Minutes
Published On: June 22, 2022
Reviewed On: June 22, 2022
Updated On: April 5, 2024
Overview
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are both mental health conditions that significantly impact a person’s quality of life. While the disorders do have many of the same symptoms, there are also some major differences between PTSD vs BPD to be aware of, too.
To accurately distinguish the two, it’s important to look at the symptoms, causes, and types of treatment that are available forborderline personality disorderandpost-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms of PTSD vs BPDBecause several symptoms are common in both PTSD and BPD, diagnosis can be challenging. For this reason, it’s important to address all aspects of someone’s condition before making any sort of diagnosis and to go to a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis.Symptoms that can occur inbothPTSD and BPD include:Difficulty with emotion regulationExperiencing mood swingsExtreme angerEpisodes of rageFear of abandonmentDissociation
Symptoms of PTSD vs BPD
Because several symptoms are common in both PTSD and BPD, diagnosis can be challenging. For this reason, it’s important to address all aspects of someone’s condition before making any sort of diagnosis and to go to a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis.
Symptoms that can occur inbothPTSD and BPD include:
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Doctor of Psychology (PsyD.), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)Meaghan Rice
PTSD symptomsSymptoms of PTSDcan vary from person to person. However, a hallmark sign is the classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat. People with PTSD also might be hypervigilant and feel as if they need to be ready for danger at every corner.Flashbacks and unexpected, unwanted thoughts of the trauma are common. Difficulty sleeping and finding it hard to focus on tasks are additional symptoms many people experience. Because people living with PTSD have all this turmoil going on, they might isolate themselves from others. It’s not uncommon for people with PTSD, especially men, to attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.Common symptoms of PTSD might include:FlashbacksNightmaresStartling easilyAvoiding things, places, people, or events that remind them of the traumatic eventFeelings of shame or guiltExtreme fearFinding it hard to have a positive reaction to thingsExperiencing some of these symptoms? Take aPTSD testto learn more.BPD symptomsBPD is classified as a personality disorder. It causes thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are problematic and typically start in early adulthood or during the adolescent years. For this reason, it’s important to identify signs and symptoms of BPD early on so you can seek treatment.Common symptoms of BPD might include:An intense fear of abandonmentFeeling emptyIssues with personal relationships and self-imageMood swingsIntense angerStress-related paranoiaUnstable relationshipsFinding it challenging to control angerSelf-harmSuicidal thoughtsLike those with PTSD, individuals with BPD are more likely to indulge in risky and impulsive behavior.Experiencing some of these symptoms? Take aBPD testto learn more.
PTSD symptoms
Symptoms of PTSDcan vary from person to person. However, a hallmark sign is the classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat. People with PTSD also might be hypervigilant and feel as if they need to be ready for danger at every corner.
Flashbacks and unexpected, unwanted thoughts of the trauma are common. Difficulty sleeping and finding it hard to focus on tasks are additional symptoms many people experience. Because people living with PTSD have all this turmoil going on, they might isolate themselves from others. It’s not uncommon for people with PTSD, especially men, to attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
Common symptoms of PTSD might include:
Experiencing some of these symptoms? Take aPTSD testto learn more.
BPD symptoms
BPD is classified as a personality disorder. It causes thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are problematic and typically start in early adulthood or during the adolescent years. For this reason, it’s important to identify signs and symptoms of BPD early on so you can seek treatment.
Common symptoms of BPD might include:
Like those with PTSD, individuals with BPD are more likely to indulge in risky and impulsive behavior.
Experiencing some of these symptoms? Take aBPD testto learn more.
Causes of PTSD vs. BPD
The causes of these mental health conditions can seem similar, but at the same time, they’re very different. We have a better understanding ofwhat causes PTSD, although research continues to give us more insight into what might contribute to BPD.
BPD, on the other hand, stems from feelings of abandonment that often starts in childhood and progresses over time.
PTSD causesThere are a number of situations and experiences that can cause PTSD, yet not all people who live through trauma will develop it in response. The most commonly associated trauma with PTSD is being in the military in a combat area. However, that’s just one of many traumatic events that can trigger PTSD. Others include being the victim of a sexual assault, being in an abusive relationship, or being injured in a car accident.Complex PTSD(C-PTSD) is a subset of PTSD that occurs when someone is exposed to trauma over an extended period of time. This might be when working in a war zone or from growing up in an abusive household. This type of PTSD is thought to come from feeling powerless over escaping the traumatic situation.A key difference between PTSD vs BPD is that the former generally occurs as a result of prolonged trauma, whereas BPD is a personality disorder that often involves dissociative episodes.BPD causesThe cause of BPD is not fully understood. However, it’s widely accepted that the condition might stem from childhood neglect or long-term trauma. It’s likely that a combination of environmental and genetic factors are at play.
PTSD causes
There are a number of situations and experiences that can cause PTSD, yet not all people who live through trauma will develop it in response. The most commonly associated trauma with PTSD is being in the military in a combat area. However, that’s just one of many traumatic events that can trigger PTSD. Others include being the victim of a sexual assault, being in an abusive relationship, or being injured in a car accident.
Complex PTSD(C-PTSD) is a subset of PTSD that occurs when someone is exposed to trauma over an extended period of time. This might be when working in a war zone or from growing up in an abusive household. This type of PTSD is thought to come from feeling powerless over escaping the traumatic situation.
A key difference between PTSD vs BPD is that the former generally occurs as a result of prolonged trauma, whereas BPD is a personality disorder that often involves dissociative episodes.
BPD causes
The cause of BPD is not fully understood. However, it’s widely accepted that the condition might stem from childhood neglect or long-term trauma. It’s likely that a combination of environmental and genetic factors are at play.
Differences in TreatmentTreatment for PTSDvs BPD can differ somewhat. However, people with both C-PTSD and BPD can benefit from a form of talk therapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and other types of psychotherapy. For those who are interested in healing from PTSD naturally, there are also some natural treatments that therapists recommend.Generally, a combined treatment approach is the most effective (meaning, medication and therapy used together). People with both disorders can also benefit from learning self-soothing techniques like meditation, yoga, and other holistic self-care practices.Of course, everyone is unique and will respond to treatment differently. Thus, treatment plans should always be tailored to specific symptoms and needs.
Differences in Treatment
Treatment for PTSDvs BPD can differ somewhat. However, people with both C-PTSD and BPD can benefit from a form of talk therapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and other types of psychotherapy. For those who are interested in healing from PTSD naturally, there are also some natural treatments that therapists recommend.
Generally, a combined treatment approach is the most effective (meaning, medication and therapy used together). People with both disorders can also benefit from learning self-soothing techniques like meditation, yoga, and other holistic self-care practices.
Of course, everyone is unique and will respond to treatment differently. Thus, treatment plans should always be tailored to specific symptoms and needs.
PTSD treatmentPeople living with PTSD will greatly benefit from various forms ofcognitive behavioral therapy, includingcognitive processing therapy(CPT), which was specifically developed to treat veterans with PTSD.Exposure therapyis yet another form of CBT that’s a proven treatment technique for PTSD. Especially for people who experience flashbacks, exposure therapy can be very helpful in learning to control responses to stimuli and triggers that take them back to their harrowing experience.BPD treatmentBPD is primarily treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy), although BPD medication and, in extreme cases, hospitalization might also be suggested. Several forms of talk therapy have been successful in treating symptoms of BPD.Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was developed specifically for BPD, and it’s commonly a first approach. Traditional CBT is another effective form of therapy that can help people with BPD learn to change their thought processes and engage in healthier behavior.
PTSD treatment
People living with PTSD will greatly benefit from various forms ofcognitive behavioral therapy, includingcognitive processing therapy(CPT), which was specifically developed to treat veterans with PTSD.
Exposure therapyis yet another form of CBT that’s a proven treatment technique for PTSD. Especially for people who experience flashbacks, exposure therapy can be very helpful in learning to control responses to stimuli and triggers that take them back to their harrowing experience.
BPD treatment
BPD is primarily treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy), although BPD medication and, in extreme cases, hospitalization might also be suggested. Several forms of talk therapy have been successful in treating symptoms of BPD.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was developed specifically for BPD, and it’s commonly a first approach. Traditional CBT is another effective form of therapy that can help people with BPD learn to change their thought processes and engage in healthier behavior.
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Connect With a Provider for Mental Health EvaluationTalk to a qualified therapist for a mental health evaluation, tailored to guide your next steps.
Connect With a Provider for Mental Health Evaluation
Talk to a qualified therapist for a mental health evaluation, tailored to guide your next steps.
Finding The Right SupportPTSD and BPD are mental health conditions that can have a severe impact on quality of life, relationships, and overall happiness, but with treatment and support itispossible to manage symptoms and live a peaceful, full life. If you are showing symptoms of either condition, reach out to alicensed online therapistat Talkspace today to get a formal diagnosis.
Finding The Right Support
PTSD and BPD are mental health conditions that can have a severe impact on quality of life, relationships, and overall happiness, but with treatment and support itispossible to manage symptoms and live a peaceful, full life. If you are showing symptoms of either condition, reach out to alicensed online therapistat Talkspace today to get a formal diagnosis.
See ReferencesPTSD StatisticsPTSD United. Published 2022. Accessed May 10, 2022.Borderline Personality DisorderNAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nami.org. Published 2017. Accessed May 10, 2022.
See References
PTSD United. Published 2022. Accessed May 10, 2022.
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nami.org. Published 2017. Accessed May 10, 2022.
Meaghan RiceMeaghan Rice is a mental health consultant specializing in professionals who are looking to close the gap between where they are and where they envision themselves being. With a decade of experience in the mental health field, working in a variety of different capacities, Dr. Rice has found her niche amidst the therapist, consultant, and trainer roles.
Meaghan Rice is a mental health consultant specializing in professionals who are looking to close the gap between where they are and where they envision themselves being. With a decade of experience in the mental health field, working in a variety of different capacities, Dr. Rice has found her niche amidst the therapist, consultant, and trainer roles.
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