Identity is about the way you view yourself and can help you adapt to change. People with borderline personality disorders tend to lack a sense of self. If you are struggling with understanding who you are or what you believe in, this may be a symptom of borderline personality disorder and something worth looking into.
The Lack of Identity and Borderline Personality Disorder
One of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder listed in the DSM-5 is identity disturbance, where you have an unstable self-image or sense of self. People with borderline personality disorder have trouble understanding who they are or what their beliefs are. Sometimes, they change who they are, depending on their circumstances and what they think others want from them. You might find yourself being the life of the party at a group hangout, but very serious when you are at the office. Their thoughts and feelings change to match the current situation.
Why People with Borderline Personality Disorder Have Identity Problems
A borderline personality disorder is associated with emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and conflicted thinking. All of these symptoms can make it hard to distinguish who you are because your experiences and actions are not consistent. Many people with borderline personality disorder also tend to come from abusive or chaotic homes, making it challenging to establish a sense of self. If you have a sense of your identity based on the unpredictable or scary reactions of others, you have no framework to form a sense of identity. It can also have something to do with the mental states of yourself and others in regards to your dreams, thoughts, emotions, and goals.
How to Establish an Identity
If you are constantly asking yourself who you are, treatment for borderline personality disorder can offer you the framework to figuring out who you are and what you stand for. Finding a good therapist is the first step to working on your identity problems. You can discover what you view as meaningful, and defining those areas can help you discover what is important to you. Identity problems can be very complicated for anyone, but even more so for those who have the mental illness of borderline personality disorder. You do not have to struggle with borderline personality disorder or with your identity problems alone, as many trained professionals can help you on your rewarding path of self-discovery.
Borderline personality disorder can make you emotionally unstable and commit impulsive behavior. This can make it very challenging to establish a sense of identity. It is important to speak to a therapist about your identity challenges to get a better sense of who you are. At Alta Loma, we understand how struggling it is not knowing who you are, and we are here to help you. Our transformative treatment facility in Georgetown, Texas, can provide you with individualized therapy, life and coping skills education, therapeutic recreational activities, and much more. Please call us at (866) 457-3843 to learn more.
