Complex Trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder Differences
Our latest resource looks at the differences between two distinct types of behavioral health conditions with an in-depth analysis of CPTSD vs BPD.
C-PTSD is short for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Also called Complex PTSD, the condition can stem from any type of complex trauma. Complex trauma can refer to any type of prolonged, ongoing, or repeated trauma. For example, CPTSD is common among survivors of complex childhood trauma in the form of ongoing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Prolonged trauma can affect the way we think deeply. It can be difficult to feel safe, have healthy relationships, function optimally in daily life, and trust yourself after complex trauma. However, it is possible to heal from trauma and its effects. You can have a life that you love after trauma.
People with BPD don’t have to have a trauma history but often do. Since some CPTSD and BPD symptoms overlap, you may wonder—what’s the difference between CPTSD vs. BPD?
Key differences set the two conditions apart. An accurate diagnosis can be essential for treatment. Let’s first review CPTSD vs. BPD, including their definitions, similarities, and differences. Then, we’ll discuss how the conditions are diagnosed and treated at Catalina Behavioral Health, as well as the need for a comprehensive treatment approach.
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Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
Emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept, a negative perception of others or the world, and other symptoms can all be seen in both Complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder.
However, they are not the same. BPD and CPTSD have separate diagnostic criteria that set them apart.
What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)?
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can form only after prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events. It can stem from any type of ongoing or repeated trauma, like domestic violence or childhood abuse.
Symptoms of CPTSD can be more severe than those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with CPTSD also experience additional symptoms compared to those with PTSD.
For example, Complex PTSD symptoms can include both standard PTSD symptoms and increased difficulty with:
- Interpersonal relationships.
- Sense of self.
- Emotion regulation.
These are some examples of Complex PTSD symptoms that might overlap with personality disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder affecting how a person perceives themselves and relates to others. BPD is characterized by emotional dysregulation, unstable sense of self, unstable sense of self, and self-destructive behaviors.
A person with BPD may experience extreme mood swings, difficulty with impulse control, and intense fear of abandonment. Many people with BPD experience self-harming behaviors.
BPD is linked to genetic, environmental, and social risk factors. Diagnosing BPD through testing and looking for related disorders should include a review of a person’s medical history to rule out other possible symptom causes.
Similarities and Differences: CPTSD vs BPD
Learning about Complex PTSD and BPD can help determine if one or both might be affecting you or a loved one. Understanding the similarities and differences between the conditions can help you and your healthcare provider come to an accurate conclusion regarding your diagnosis.
Similarities Between CPTSD and BPD
Before we go over the distinctions that set CPTSD and BPD apart, let’s talk about the similarities. Here are just some of the most prevalent overlapping symptoms and features of CPTSD and BPD:
- Both CPTSD and BPD involve emotional dysregulation and can affect mood.
- Both CPTSD and BPD can negatively affect interpersonal relationships.
- Both CPTSD and BPD lead to an increased risk of substance abuse.
- Both CPTSD and BPD can affect self-identity.
Additionally, both conditions can be challenging to diagnose. Increased awareness within the medical community can help individuals avoid misdiagnosis.
Key Differences Between CPTSD and BPD
Though not everyone who endures trauma develops PTSD or CPTSD, a Complex PTSD diagnosis requires prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma. The majority of people with BPD have a history of trauma. That said, while trauma can lead to BPD, the disorder doesn’t have to be caused by traumatic events.
Despite some overlapping symptoms, BPD and CPTSD have differentiating symptom profiles. For example, C-PTSD must include:
- Re-experiencing symptoms, like flashbacks, nightmares, emotional distress, physical reactivity, or unsettling memories related to a traumatic event.
- Avoidance behaviors (avoiding reminders of or feelings associated with a traumatic event).
C-PTSD assessments are marked by symptoms that connect to traumatic events. You can’t be diagnosed with C-PTSD if you don’t have at least one re-experiencing symptom and at least one avoidance symptom, among other criteria. This is not true for BPD.
C-PTSD and Comorbidity With Other Mental Health Disorders
C-PTSD co-occurs with other mental health conditions frequently. CPTSD comorbidities may include mood disorders like depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Personality disorders can also co-occur with CPTSD.
Can You Have Both CPTSD and BPD?
You can have both CPTSD and BPD. In that case, treatment should address both conditions. Similarly, every instance where BPD is linked to trauma should involve trauma treatment. It is important to acknowledge traumatic memories connected to mental disorders in any case.
Accurate diagnosis of CPTSD or BPD is essential for effective treatment. Latent class analysis can help differentiate between CPTSD and BPD symptom profiles. In other words, variables that differ between the two conditions help a provider differentiate CPTSD from BPD in the diagnostic process.
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How is CPTSD Diagnosed?
CPTSD and BPD are both diagnosed using criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Although CPTSD isn’t in the DSM yet, diagnosing CPTSD requires that a person meets the criteria for PTSD in addition to C-PTSD-specific features.
The diagnostic process for CPTSD involves a series of questions. In diagnosing CPTSD or BPD, a provider should ask about your personal history, including whether you’ve experienced traumatic events. They may ask you to rate the severity of your symptoms and how they impact close relationships, your occupation, and other parts of life.
Treatment Approaches for BPD and CPTSD
Therapy is an effective treatment for CPTSD and BPD when in the proper form. However, there are many different types of therapy. Let’s go over the most evidence-based practices for CPTSD and BPD.
Trauma-Focused Therapies for CPTSD
Various treatments can be used to address Complex PTSD. Some of the most common and effective treatments for PTSD and C-PTSD include:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT).
- Prolonged exposure therapy.
- Medication management.
It is crucial that therapists working with trauma survivors are trauma-informed. If someone with CPTSD has one or more co-occurring disorders, it’s recommended that they are also addressed.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for BPD
DBT is a type of therapy that combines behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and acceptance-based strategies. It was designed specifically to treat BPD. Research shows that DBT is very effective in treating BPD and a wide range of other disorders.
DBT can help individuals with BPD manage emotional dysregulation and develop more adaptive coping skills. It can also provide skills necessary for building and sustaining healthy romantic relationships and other interpersonal connections. Largely, BPD treatment focuses on regulating one’s moods and reactions.
DBT for BPD can be used alongside other therapies and medication treatments. As always, treatment plans should be catered to the needs of an individual. For example, one person with BPD could benefit from medication management, whereas another may not.
Prognosis and Recovery
Mental health conditions can impact both the body and the mind. With treatment, physical and mental symptoms can improve. Research shows that treatment can help individuals with CPTSD and BPD improve their overall quality of life.
BPD treatment in the form of dialectical behavioral therapy can reduce symptoms to the point that they no longer meet the criteria for a diagnosis. PTSD symptoms, too, can be reduced to the point that the individual no longer meets the criteria for the condition.
There’s nothing shameful about living with CPTSD or BPD. Symptoms developed following trauma serve a purpose. Now that you’re safe, it’s possible to work through symptoms like self-sabotaging behavior and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Treatment can help you find new ways to navigate things like fear of abandonment and negative emotions.
The Importance of Comprehensive Treatment
Our programs for mental health, addiction, and dual-diagnosis disorders take a whole-person approach to healing. We look not just at external symptoms but also at causes and how life experiences may impact treatment. Catalina Behavioral Health offers residential inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.
Our programs entail a combination of groups such as DBT groups, individual therapy sessions, and other treatments, such as medication management. You or your loved one seeking treatment will work with our staff members to create a personalized relapse prevention plan.
Call Catalina Behavioral Health for Help With CPTSD or BPD
Catalina Behavioral Health is an Arizona-based treatment center equipped to address trauma disorders, personality disorders, and other conditions. Get in touch with our team to learn more about our programs, get answers to your treatment questions, or start the intake process today.
Call our admissions line to connect with Catalina Behavioral Health. Whether you’re seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one, our team is here to help.
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FAQs on BPD vs CPTSD
What are the 17 symptoms of CPTSD?
Everyone with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) presents differently. You do not have to have every possible symptom of CPTSD to meet the criteria for the disorder. With that in mind, here are 17 common symptoms seen in people with CPTSD.
- Flashbacks.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Challenges in interpersonal relationships
- Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, self-blame, or worthlessness.
- Difficulty building and maintaining healthy relationships.
- Avoidance of thoughts or feelings related to traumatic events.
- Avoidance of external reminders (people, places, or things) of traumatic events.
- Decreased interest in activities one previously enjoyed.
- Distorted self-identity or sense of self.
- Angry outbursts, irritability, or anxiety.
- Emotional numbing or depression.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Intrusive memories.
- Low self-esteem.
- Hypervigilance.
- Nightmares.
Headaches, trouble feeling positive emotions, and difficulty concentrating or focusing are other common symptoms of CPTSD. A professional qualified to diagnose mental health conditions can give you an adequate evaluation and diagnosis.
How is borderline personality disorder different from PTSD?
Borderline personality disorder or BPD is a personality disorder, whereas PTSD is a trauma disorder. BPD is marked by patterns of unstable relationships, affects, self-image, and impulsivity starting in early adulthood. On the other hand, a person can develop PTSD at any point in time–another key difference.
Diagnostic criteria for BPD and PTSD are different. However, both conditions are highly treatable with the right approach.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430883/
- https://bpded.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40479-021-00155-9
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9762-borderline-personality-disorder-bpd
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24881-cptsd-complex-ptsd
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/complex_ptsd.asp
- https://www.nami.org/advocate/treating-borderline-personality-disorder/
