Why People With BPD Have Trouble Identifying Emotions

Why People With BPD Have Trouble Identifying Emotions BPD Living With BPD Print Why People With BPD Have Trouble Identifying Emotions By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 11, 2020 Matelly Cultura Exclusive / Getty Images More in BPD Living With BPD Diagnosis Treatment Related Conditions People who have borderline personality disorder (BPD) often struggle to identify emotions.?? The ability to identify your emotions is a key aspect of emotion regulation. Being unable to do so can have significant consequences on social interactions and relationships.   BPD is considered a disorder of emotion regulation.?? While the term is not official, some mental health professionals and organizations refer to the BPD as emotional dysregulation disorder. Why People With BPD Have Difficulty Identifying Emotions Its not entirely clear what causes people with BPD to have trouble identifying emotions, but researchers have hypothesized several possible explanations.?? The ability to identify emotions is a skill we develop early in life and our caregivers play an integral role. Children who have abusive or neglectful caregivers may miss out on these key aspects of emotional development. Instead of learning to identify their emotions and express them in a healthy way, maltreated children may fear their feelings, especially if their emotional expression triggers abuse. If they have parents or caregivers who are neglectful, having their feelings ignored can teach a child that their emotions do not matter. BPD is frequently linked to a history of child abuse and neglect.?? Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for many mental health conditions, including BPD. Many people who have BPD were not abused or maltreated as children. A 2011 study published in The Lancet found that 10-20 percent of people with BPD have no history of abuse or maltreatment.?? In these cases, it may be that some people with BPD have very intense emotional responses because of a genetic predisposition or other biological mechanisms in the brain.?? The adults in a childs life may be overwhelmed or not know how to respond to these intense emotions. Such interactions can create an emotionally invalidating environment if caregivers struggle to acknowledge a childs emotions when they seem to be out of proportion with the triggering event.?? Why Identifying Our Emotions Is Important Emotions are a normal, necessary part of life and daily functioning. They guide our decisions, help us connect with other people, and keep us safe.?? For example, imagine if you were not able to identify the feeling of fear. Without the ability to recognize the signals of being afraid that keep us from harm, you might find yourself in a dangerous situation. If you can pick up on your fear cues, you are more likely to stay away from people or things that could hurt you. Fear, while it is sometimes an unpleasant emotion, is actually critical to our safety and well-being. Another reason it is important to be able to identify emotions is that when we can’t identify our feelings, we often end up with a vague, confusing internal experienceâ€"what is sometimes called “muddy emotions.”?? Some people who have trouble recognizing their emotions will say things like, “I just feel awful! â€" but awful is not an emotion. What a person is likely feeling and trying to express is a muddled experience generated by a confusing mix of emotions. Muddle emotions arent just frustrating, theyre also not very helpful. Its far more comfortable (and useful) for us to be able to identify and accept the emotions that are present, such as by saying, “I feel sad, fearful, and ashamed. How to Get Better at Identifying Emotions If you have trouble identifying emotions, youre never too old to learn. Even if you didnt develop the skill as a child, you can learn emotional identification as an adult. Like any skill, identifying your emotions and expressing them in a healthy way will take practice. Keep in mind that as children, we learn to do this over the course of years, putting in work nearly every day. Although you can learn and further develop these skills as a teenager and adult, it will take consistent commitment and patience. You may need months, if not years, to become adept at identifying your feelings and expressing them. If you have BPD, a therapist who specializes in the condition can help you develop emotional skills and empower you to use them appropriately. They can also serve as a resource for information and support for you throughout your journey. While it can be a lengthy and challenging process, learning to identify, express, and regulate your emotions will improve your ability to cope with BPD, your experience at home, work, or school; and how you communicate and relate to other people.