People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be hypersensitive to subtle emotions on others’ faces. An enhanced ability to recognize expressions of happiness, sadness, anger and fear might contribute to the unstable relationships and intense emotions characteristic of the disorder. In a recent study, individuals were asked to identify emotions on slowly morphed computer generated faces. Adults with BPD consistently identified the emotions sooner than other participants.
People with BPD’s sensitivity to the feelings of others might fuel some of their emotional regulation problems. For example, slight annoyance on the face of a friend might be seen as heated anger, which could trigger a fear of abandonment. Even hyperawareness of positive emotions could lead to trouble for people with BPD, who might interpret intense love instead of mild happiness. This tendency could lead to the whirlwind romances typical of people with BPD.
This research is important in understanding the impact of emotional sensitivity on the behavior of individuals with BPD such as overreacting to minor events or situations. Individuals with BPD often experience chronic feelings of emptiness, fears of abandonment, low self-esteem, and stormy relationships. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been shown to be very effective with BPD and suicidal clients by addressing emotions that lead to erratic behavior and teaching coping skills to regulate emotions.
The Arroyos® Psychological Associates are Treatment for depression. We offer Treatment for schizophrenia, and are also experienced in treating dual diagnosis patients.
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