Borderline Vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) belong to the same family of mental conditions that affect the personality. Personality disorders generally can be divided into Group A and Group B classifications. Group A classifications tend to manifest as consistently dysfunctional patterns of paranoia and general disinterest in people. Group B personality disorders cause dysfunctional cycles of overly dramatic, overly emotional, and unpredictable thinking and behavior. NPD and BPD are part of Group B, but the characteristics of each are unique. 

With BPD, patients may gravitate toward impulsivity, self-harm, and engaging in intense relationships. Symptoms may appear in these ways:

• Prolonged instability with family, peer, and romantic relationships
• A constantly unstable and ever-shifting self-image and/or sense of personal identity
• Frequent mood swings and emotional dysregulation 
• Dissociation (a feeling that your body or your reality isn’t actually real)
• An intense fear of abandonment, which seems to create unhealthy defense mechanisms that aim to avoid or eliminate potential abandonment 
• Appearing needy, clingy, or in need of constant validation from onlookers 

People with BPD tend to swing from idealizing and adoring a loved one to hating and villainizing them. They also report feeling completely empty when alone, as well as feeling low self-esteem and unworthy of experiencing love and intimacy. 

With NPD, in contrast, there is no genuine desire to connect with others, and there is no underlying fear of abandonment. The root of NPD is fear of unworthiness and a notably fragile ego. People with narcissistic personality disorder mask this fear and fragility with behaviors driven by grandiosity—the sense of being superior to others—along with manipulation and exploitation. Fundamentally, they feel that if they fake superiority they will eventually become superior to others. NPD symptoms appear as such:

• Beliefs rooted in being more special, superior, attractive, and important than others
• Inability to understand or relate to the needs and feelings of others 
• An inclination to exaggerate achievements, talents, or personal events 
• An expectation for unwarranted and consistent praise, admiration, and favors
• Finding it easy and pleasurable to take advantage of situations and other people if an opportunity arises
• Jealousy of others or the belief that others are jealous of them 

The person with NPD inherently believes that everyone is out for themselves and that no one can understand them. They may typically become enraged by minor criticisms or when held accountable for inappropriate or hurtful actions. 

The most important difference between BPD and NPD is that people with BPD authentically crave connection with others. They want to connect and maintain intimacy, but their disorder often prevents healthy experiences in doing so. NPD is driven by a severe need to project an image that, ultimately, the individual feels is a farce. While both disorders sprout from fear, the fear is unique. People with NPD fear that others will find out that they’re unworthy or frauds. People with BPD fear that they will be left unloved and alone. 

The Obstacles BPD and NPD Share

BPD and NPD patients share the following obstacles:

• Emotional dysregulation 
• Interpersonal relationship turmoil and instability
• An intense need to be approved of and accepted by the people around them
• Impulsive behaviors
• Dual mental health diagnoses/comorbidities like depression and substance use disorder 

While NPD causes an inflated self-image and BPD causes a deflated self-image, both are motivated by a need to extract something from people: love and acceptance (BPD), or attention and compliments (NPD). The fear of losing what they seek is strong. 

What is Borderline Narcissism?

Firstly, the term borderline-narcissism is not a medical condition. It often simply refers to the comorbidity of both BPD and NPD in the same person. It’s not well studied, and the overlap of these two disorders seems to be rare. However, some studies suggest that people with BPD may be particularly susceptible to a specific type of vulnerable narcissism characterized by the following:

• Hypersensitivity
• Constant defensiveness
• Low self-esteem

Get Help For Personality Disorders With Miramont BH in Wisconsin 

If you or someone you love may be suffering from borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, mental health treatment services can help. Miramont has locations in Middleton and Waukesha, WI, and we’re able to diagnose and treat both disorders. We can also provide support to family and friends who must cope with a loved one who denies they have a personality disorder. Contact us today to learn about how we can serve you on your journey to wellness.