Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder

The comorbidity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is notably well documented and is very common. Numerous clinical and empirical studies have recognized the comorbidity of PTSD and BPD. BPD and PTSD are associated and overlap with other psychological conditions on a spectrum of post-traumatic syndromes that begin with childhood maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences, which later develop into diagnoses with high rates of morbidity, including PTSD and BPD. Difficulties in emotion regulation are a documented risk factor for the development and maintenance of PTSD, and emotion dysregulation is a core feature of BPD as well. The severity and complexity of difficulties in emotion regulation in individuals with BP pathology show their substantial rates of co-occurring psychological disorders such as PTSD. Borderline personality disorder dispositions have been shown to play a significant role in impacting severe PTSD symptoms and serious mental health matters such as NSSI, along with greater functional disturbances and psychological distress. A growing body of literature has documented the association between BPD and PTSD with adverse childhood experiences, child abuse, and childhood trauma. The overlap between symptoms of BPD and those of complex PTSD (c-PTSD) is a subject of debate. PTSD overlaps in core symptoms, including re-experience, avoidance, and blunting with c-PTSD and BPD. Feelings of low self-esteem are a common matter in both BPD and c-PTSD; a changing view of oneself supports a BPD diagnosis. It has been suggested that diagnostic symptoms associated with emotion dysregulation are endorsed across BPD and c-PTSD.