Quiet BPD
What Does Quiet BPD Look Like?
BPD means a person experiences very intense negative emotions, such as anger, shame, sadness and guilt. This is often displayed outwardly. However, for someone with quiet BPD, while they still experience these intense emotions, they tend to do so internally. This can cause them to lash out at themselves.
When someone has quiet BPD, it can be something that other people don't necessarily notice. As the person internalises their emotional pain, it can also make it more difficult for them to access the diagnosis and treatment they need.
If you are wondering whether you or someone you know might be struggling with quiet borderline personality disorder, it can be helpful to read over some of the common signs and characteristics.
Signs of quiet BPD
If you are wondering whether you or someone you know might be struggling with quiet borderline personality disorder, it can be helpful to read over some of the common signs and characteristics.
Suffering internally with extreme emotional pain
Experiencing extreme mood swings that last between a few hours and a few days, which the person keeps to themselves
Feeling as though things affect them more than they do other people
Feeling hopeless, numb or empty inside most or all the time
Trying to suppress or deny anger
Feeling that it's always best to show a calm and happy exterior, despite struggling with inner turmoil
Problematic people pleasing and unhealthy boundaries
Having a poor self image or rapidly changing self image
Intense fear of rejection
Experiencing a feeling of being “triggered” that leads to uncontrollable internalised emotions (e.g., shame, guilt)
Taking small things personally (e.g. a cancelled plans)
Feeling as though you are in a state of hypervigilance
Not being able to read others (e.g., thinking people are mad at you when they are not)
Feeling as though it is wrong to have the emotions that you do (which results in trying to suppress them)
Racing or distorted thoughts
A fear of being alone or pushing people away
Racing or distorted thoughts
Derealization (feeling as though you are living inside a dream)
Blaming themselves
Blaming or criticising themselves for things that go wrong,
Blaming themselves for other people’s emotions or any conflicts they have with other people
Inwardly directed hostility, anger, or aggression (e.g., having a harsh internal critic, self harm)
Analysing and scrutinising everything they do
Believing that they deserve to be alone
Believing they're annoying or a burden on other people, so keeping how they feel to themselves
Withdrawing and isolating themselves from others
Self sabotage