Is borderline personality disorder really an emotion dysregulation disorder and, if so, how? A comprehensive experimental paradigm

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Skye Fitzpatrick ◽  
Sonya Varma ◽  
Janice R. Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Vagal Tone ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Emotional Recovery

Abstract Background Leading theories suggest that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an emotion dysregulation disorder involving lower basal vagal tone, higher baseline emotion, heightened emotional reactivity, delayed emotional recovery, and emotion regulation deficits. However, the literature to date lacks a unifying paradigm that tests all of the main emotion dysregulation components and comprehensively examines whether BPD is an emotion dysregulation disorder and, if so, in what ways. This study addresses the empirical gaps with a unified paradigm that assessed whether BPD is characterized by five leading emotion dysregulation components compared to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and healthy control (HC) groups. Methods Emotion was assessed across self-report, sympathetic, and parasympathetic indices. Participants with BPD, GAD, and HCs (N = 120) first underwent baseline periods assessing basal vagal tone and baseline emotional intensity, followed by rejection-themed stressors assessing emotional reactivity. Participants then either reacted normally to assess emotional recovery or attempted to decrease emotion using mindfulness or distraction to assess emotion regulation implementation deficits. Results Individuals with BPD and GAD exhibited higher self-reported and sympathetic baseline emotion compared to HCs. The BPD group also exhibited self-reported emotion regulation deficits using distraction only compared to the GAD group. Conclusions There is minimal support for several emotion dysregulation components in BPD, and some components that are present appear to be pervasive across high emotion dysregulation groups rather than specific to BPD. However, BPD may be characterized by problems disengaging from emotion using distraction.

scholarly journals A psychophysiological assessment of delayed emotional recovery across discrete emotions in borderline personality disorder and the impact of self-harm and suicidality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Emotional Recovery ◽  
The Impact

This study examined Linehan’s (1993) theory of delayed emotional recovery (i.e., emotions last longer) in borderline personality disorder (i.e., BPD), and whether non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation modulate this process. BPD and healthy control (HC) groups were monitored via parasympathetic, sympathetic, and self-report indices after fear, anger, and sadness inductions. After the fear induction, the BPD group showed increases in emotional arousal as indicated by parasympathetic indices and no changes in sympathetic indices, whereas HCs showed no change in parasympathetic indices and decreases in sympathetic indices. Further, individuals with BPD with higher urges to commit suicide after the fear induction exhibited faster decreases in sympathetic responding than others. These findings suggest that individuals with BPD selectively show delayed emotional recovery and that suicidal ideation may quicken emotional recovery in this group. Those with BPD may benefit from learning strategies to quicken, or tolerate, delayed emotional recovery.

scholarly journals A psychophysiological assessment of delayed emotional recovery across discrete emotions in borderline personality disorder and the impact of self-harm and suicidality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Emotional Recovery ◽  
The Impact

This study examined Linehan’s (1993) theory of delayed emotional recovery (i.e., emotions last longer) in borderline personality disorder (i.e., BPD), and whether non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation modulate this process. BPD and healthy control (HC) groups were monitored via parasympathetic, sympathetic, and self-report indices after fear, anger, and sadness inductions. After the fear induction, the BPD group showed increases in emotional arousal as indicated by parasympathetic indices and no changes in sympathetic indices, whereas HCs showed no change in parasympathetic indices and decreases in sympathetic indices. Further, individuals with BPD with higher urges to commit suicide after the fear induction exhibited faster decreases in sympathetic responding than others. These findings suggest that individuals with BPD selectively show delayed emotional recovery and that suicidal ideation may quicken emotional recovery in this group. Those with BPD may benefit from learning strategies to quicken, or tolerate, delayed emotional recovery.

scholarly journals Dyadic Emotion Regulation in Women with Borderline Personality Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie Miano ◽  
Sven Barnow ◽  
Stina Wagner ◽  
Stefan Roepke ◽  
Isabel Dziobek
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Negative Behaviors ◽  
Support Seeking ◽  
Threatening Situation

Abstract Background Emotion regulation (ER) and interpersonal dysfunction constitute key features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Here, we tested if females with BPD show impairments in dyadic ER, that is in their support seeking and creation of closeness. We investigated if women with BPD might over-rely on their male partner by excessive support seeking and establishing of closeness, during conversations with personally and relationship-threatening topics. Methods Thirty couples in which the women were diagnosed with BPD and 34 healthy control (HC) couples were videotaped while discussing neutral, personally threatening, and relationship-threatening topics. Support seeking was rated by three independent raters, using a naïve observer method. The creation of closeness was rated using a continuous video-rating. Perceived emotions were assessed using self-report after each conversation. Results Women with BPD engaged in more support seeking than HC women, especially in more negative behaviors to elicit support, they created less closeness to their partner than HCs and reported a greater decline of positive emotions in both threatening conditions. Women with BPD displayed more fluctuations than controls between creating closeness and distance in the personally-threatening situation. They reported a larger increase in negative emotions after the relationship threatening conversation compared to female HC. Conclusions The present study indicates an increased demand of dyadic ER in BPD. Increased negative support seeking and less creation of closeness to the partner might reflect ineffective strategies to actually receive support from the partner.

scholarly journals Interpersonal Problems in Borderline Personality Disorder: Associations with Mentalizing, Emotion Regulation, and Impulsiveness

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Euler ◽  
Tobias Nolte ◽  
Matthew Constantinou ◽  
Julia Griem ◽  
P. Read Montague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Inventory Of Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Path Models

Interpersonal problems are a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study investigated the relationship between emotion dysregulation, impulsiveness, and impaired mentalizing in the context of predicting interpersonal problems in BPD. A total of 210 patients with BPD completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32). The authors conducted three path models, with either mentalizing, emotion regulation, or impulsiveness as the exogenous variable. Emotion dysregulation and attentional impulsiveness predicted interpersonal problems directly, whereas hypomentalizing predicted interpersonal problems only indirectly throughout emotion dysregulation and attentional impulsiveness. The results suggest that these domains contribute significantly to interpersonal problems in BPD. Moreover, hypomentalizing might affect on interpersonal problems via its effect on impulsiveness and emotion regulation. The authors argue that focusing on emotion regulation and mentalizing in BPD treatments might have interlinked beneficial effects on interpersonal problems.

A Comparison of Self-Reported Emotional Regulation Skills in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 1396-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marialuisa Cavelti ◽  
Salvatore Corbisiero ◽  
Hannes Bitto ◽  
Beatrice Moerstedt ◽  
Patricia Newark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Central Feature ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: Emotion dysregulation has been described as a central feature of both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study aims to compare emotion regulation among ADHD, BPD, and healthy controls (HC). Method: Eighty adults with ADHD, 55 with BPD, and 55 HC completed self-report assessments of ADHD and BPD symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and emotion regulation skills. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted on the emotion regulation items, followed by multivariate analyses of group differences in emotion regulation. Results: PCA yielded four components: “Being Aware of Emotions,” “Making Sense of Emotions,” “Modifying and Accepting Emotions,” and “Confronting Emotions With Self-Encouragement.” The last component best distinguished the two patient groups from the HC. No differences were found between adults with ADHD and BPD. Conclusion: Adults with ADHD and BPD report comparable difficulties in encouraging oneself to attend inner aversive experiences, without engaging in impulsive behavior.

scholarly journals Emotional Responsiveness in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Review of Self-Report and Physiological Measures.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Suman Qaisar
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Emotional Dysregulation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Emotional Responsiveness ◽  
Current Review

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal problems, has historically been conceptualized by generalized heightened intensity and reactivity. However, findings regarding emotional responsiveness in adults with BPD are mixed. The current review aimed to critically assess and compare self-report and physiological research of emotional responsiveness in adults with BPD by electronic searching of relevant databases, with 6 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Specifically, results from self-report and physiological measures are compared in an attempt to synthesize similarities and differences. The results suggest a negativity bias in BPD, indicating that BPD patients exhibit heightened negative emotional reactivity, particularly in response to BPD-specific emotional stimuli. Additionally, limitations of individual studies and of the current review are discussed, with potential directions for future research.

scholarly journals Negative emotional reactivity as a marker of vulnerability in the development of borderline personality disorder symptoms

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Stepp ◽  
Lori N. Scott ◽  
Neil P. Jones ◽  
Diana J. Whalen ◽  
Alison E. Hipwell
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Family Adversity ◽  
Latent Growth ◽  
Growth Curve Models

AbstractNegative emotionality is a distinguishing feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, this person-level characteristic has not been examined as a marker of vulnerability in the development of this disorder. The current study utilized a multimethod approach to examine the interplay between negative emotional reactivity and cumulative exposure to family adversity on the development of BPD symptoms across 3 years (ages 16–18) in a diverse, at-risk sample of adolescent girls (N = 113). A latent variable of negative emotional reactivity was created from multiple assessments at age 16: self-report, emotion ratings to stressors from ecological assessments across 1 week, and observer-rated negative affectivity during a mother–daughter conflict discussion task. Exposure to family adversity was measured cumulatively between ages 5 and 16 from annual assessments of family poverty, single parent household, and difficult life circumstances. The results from latent growth curve models demonstrated a significant interaction between negative emotional reactivity and family adversity, such that exposure to adversity strengthened the association between negative emotional reactivity and BPD symptoms. In addition, family adversity predicted increasing BPD symptoms during late adolescence. These findings highlight negative emotional reactivity as a marker of vulnerability that ultimately increases risk for the development of BPD symptoms.

scholarly journals Body connection mediates the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and impaired emotion regulation in borderline personality disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Schmitz ◽  
Katja Bertsch ◽  
Annette Löffler ◽  
Sylvia Steinmann ◽  
Sabine C. Herpertz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
The Body ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Previous studies revealed an association between traumatic childhood experiences and emotional dysregulation in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, possible mediating pathways are still not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential mediating role of body connection, describing the awareness of the relationship of bodily and mental states, for the association between a history of traumatic childhood experiences and BPD core symptomatology. Methods One-hundred-twelve adult female individuals with BPD and 96 healthy female controls (HC) were included. Impaired emotion regulation, traumatic childhood experiences, and BPD symptomatology were assessed with self-report questionnaires. The Scale of Body Connection was used to assess two dimensions of body connection, that is body awareness, describing attendance to bodily information in daily life and noticing bodily responses to emotions and/or environment and body dissociation, describing a sense of separation from one’s own body, due to avoidance or emotional disconnection. Mann-Whitney U tests were employed to test for group differences (BPD vs. HC) on the two SBC subscales and associations with clinical symptoms were analyzed with Spearman correlations. We performed mediation analyses in the BPD group to test the assumption that body connection could act as a mediator between a history of traumatic childhood experiences and emotion dysregulation. Results Individuals with BPD reported significantly lower levels of body awareness and significantly higher levels of body dissociation compared to HC. Body dissociation, traumatic childhood experiences, and emotion dysregulation were significantly positively associated. Further analyses revealed that body dissociation, but not body awareness, significantly and fully mediated the positive relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and impaired emotion regulation in the BPD sample. This mediation survived when trait dissociation, i.e., general dissociative experiences not necessarily related to the body, was statistically controlled for. Conclusion Certain dimensions of body connection seem to be disturbed in BPD patients, with body dissociation being an important feature linking a history of traumatic childhood experiences to current deficits in emotion regulation.

Emotion Dysregulation in Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder

2017 ◽  
pp. 259-280
Author(s):  
Carla Sharp ◽  
Timothy J. Trull
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Dialectical Behavior Therapy ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Impulsive Behavior ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies

This chapter discusses adolescent Borderline Personality Disorder, which is characterized by instability in moods, self-image and behavior, often leading to impulsive behavior and unstable interpersonal relationships. Theoretical and clinical research recognizes the critical role emotions play, making it a quintessential emotion regulation disorder. Additionally, theories emphasize that family environment and/or attachment style are influencing factors in the development of poor emotion regulation competencies. Theories align suggesting reciprocal relationships between emotion dysregulation and alternative domains of functioning. A multi-component model of BPD has been posited theorizing emotion sensitivity (inherent from birth) exacerbates experiences of negative stimulus leading to heightened levels of negative affect making it difficult to learn and implement adaptive emotion regulation strategies. Consequently, dysregulation occurs, which reinforces the bias towards negative stimuli. Currently, six BPD interventions exist, three are evidenced in randomized controlled studies; including Dialectical behavior therapy, Helping Young People Early program and Mentalization-based treatment.

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