Distinction in Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder
In a heart-wrenching tale of resilience and determination, Trina, a dedicated caretaker and a loving partner, found herself grappling with emotional turmoil. For months, she was plagued by feelings of nervousness and depression, fearing the possibility of losing her long-time partner.
Initially, her therapist, Trina Shoemaker, suspected that Trina might be suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, as the sessions progressed, it became apparent that Trina's emotional responses were not typical of someone with BPD.
Trina's alcohol consumption was occasional, not addictive, and she did not exhibit any signs of suicidality or self-harming behaviours. Furthermore, she did not have an intense fear of abandonment, having lived without a partner for ten years.
The turning point came when it was discovered that Trina's outbursts were, in fact, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences, not panic attacks. The DSM-5 allows for a PTSD diagnosis in repeated abuse cases, not just a one-time occurrence, and Trina's history of caring for her abusive mother fit this criteria.
Child abuse, as in Trina's case, is an example of a repeated traumatic event that can lead to PTSD. Trina's PTSD was triggered more intensely by internal feelings or fears than by external situations or experiences, similar to those with PTSD, rather than those with BPD.
Misdiagnosing Trina with BPD instead of PTSD could have worsened her condition. A person with BPD is unable to divorce themselves of their emotions, even the more negative ones long after the trauma has occurred and been healed. On the other hand, a person with PTSD can have their emotional reaction minimized and subdued when the trauma is healed.
Understanding this difference is crucial in providing accurate treatment. For Trina, acknowledgement of her pain combined with empathy and agreement for how she felt, helped her immensely. Contrary to popular belief, none of the methods that work for a person with BPD, such as distancing oneself from emotions, work for a person with PTSD. Instead, they only aggravate the situation.
Trina's journey serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment in mental health care. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit, as Trina continues to face her PTSD head-on, finding solace in her new job and the possibilities it presents.
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