Quiet BPD is a type of borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental disorder that affects approximately 1.4 percent of Americans. There are four subtypes of borderline personality disorder which are quiet BPD, impulsive BPD, self-destructive BPD, and petulant BPD. Although these subtypes are not recognized as official diagnoses beyond general borderline personality disorder, understanding the variations helps individuals receive tailored treatment. It is a common myth that borderline personality disorder is not treatable. Although it is a chronic condition, it can absolutely be treated and managed. Through Aliya Health Group, individuals with BPD can find healing, personal growth, and tools to manage their symptoms. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about quiet BPD, including its symptoms, treatment, and recovery options.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that alters one’s mood, behavior, and personality. Individuals with this diagnosis often struggle to form a strong sense of identity because their thoughts, feelings, and actions change. For the same reason, they usually struggle to build healthy relationships. Borderline personality disorder has a few defining traits that are relevant across all subtypes. These are impulsivity, recklessness, trouble with emotional regulation, and, as mentioned, difficulties with identity and relationships.
Notably, borderline personality disorder commonly co-occurs with other disorders, like substance use disorders (SUD), eating disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In men, co-occurring SUD and BPD are more common, and in women, BPD often co-occurs with eating disorders and mood disorders.
Subtypes of BPD
As noted, there are four subtypes connected to borderline personality disorder. Psychologist Theodore Millon first outlined the subtypes in the 1990s. He aimed to identify the four categories BPD could fall into to provide better treatment tools for the disorder. Notably, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-5) does not define the subtypes as official diagnoses. However, understanding the four main patterns of borderline personality disorder helps treatment providers offer custom recovery plans.
Discouraged or Quiet BPD
The quiet borderline personality disorder subtype is also called discouraged BPD. It is categorized as showing a mixture of high-functioning behavior and avoidant, fearful behavior. One main trait of borderline personality is the fear of abandonment or rejection. Those with the quiet BPD subtype strongly feel this anxiety and may work overtime to ensure they don’t lose their relationships, even if they’re unhealthy ones. As part of this, they may be overly sensitive towards perceived rejection. They might take extreme measures to avoid possible abandonment by others.
Impulsive BPD
Impulsive borderline personality disorder has the key trait of impulsivity. Notably, this is a large component of BPD in general and is pertinent enough to warrant a subtype. Individuals with impulsive BPD are known to be reckless and behave dangerously. Yet, this behavior pattern is a coping mechanism to handle their uncomfortable and unstable feelings. Instead of doing the inner work to understand their identity, their urge is to turn outwards in reckless displays. Although people with impulsive BPD can be aggressive or self-harming, they can also be highly likable and charming. Yet, they may go untreated due to their fear of being vulnerable about their condition.
Self-Destructive BPD
Individuals with self-destructive borderline personality disorder engage in self-harm or reckless actions as a coping mechanism. It varies from impulsive BPD in that individuals are more in their heads about their destructive behaviors instead of acting on a whim. Those with this subtype of BPD are more likely to develop addictions and substance use disorders or consider suicide. Their addictions often stem from the desire to self-medicate their symptoms and pursue feelings of pleasure.
Petulant BPD
Petulant BPD is known to have symptoms of ever-changing mood swings, so both the individual and their relationships are inconsistent. In this way, petulant borderline personality disorder is similar to bipolar disorder and can sometimes be misdiagnosed. Another symptom connected to petulant BPD is low self-worth and insecurity. Thus, their relationships and sense of self can also be fragile because of their self-doubts. Some people with petulant BPD show problems with over control, passive-aggressive behaviors, and possessiveness as coping mechanisms.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamWhat Is Quiet BPD?
To elaborate on the quiet borderline personality disorder subtype, individuals show a combination of independent and clingy behaviors. This mixture of avoidance and co-dependency can feel confusing to both the person and those they are in relationships with. Mood swings are one symptom of BPD, but in quiet BPD, they are particularly connected to identity as it forms relationships. Additionally, the fear of abandonment makes individuals cling to others in a way that can scare them off. Thus, a key focus of treatment is healing the link between quiet BPD and relationships through coping mechanisms and emotional regulation. It’s important that those with the disorder find self-resilience and confidence in themselves.
Treatment also aims to build individuals’ sense of self-worth and self-love. Further, quiet BPD often results in the internalization of feelings like anger, sadness, and fear. Individuals with this subtype tend to hold everything inside, so they feel alone in their struggles. Commonly, people with quiet BPD also battle depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
How Is Quiet BPD Different from BPD?
To consider the differences between quiet BPD vs. BPD it’s necessary to understand they are related. Quiet BPD is a subtype of borderline personality disorder, so they share many traits and characteristics. The way the four subtypes of BPD work is they have certain stronger elements of BPD. In this case, quiet BPD has symptoms of impulsivity, poor identity formation, shifting moods, and rejection sensitivity. Yet, it differs from the other subtypes in that individuals are more likely to internalize their feelings rather than lash out at others.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Quiet BPD?
When looking for signs of quiet BPD, you can watch for general symptoms of borderline personality disorder. Yet, there are some more distinct quiet BPD symptoms that may indicate that the person has the discouraged subtype. Borderline personality disorder can be misdiagnosed due to the complexity of mental health illnesses. Also, individuals’ symptoms likely won’t fit into a box and may cross into other subtype traits. Yet, you can look for the following symptoms as an indicator of borderline personality disorder:
- Mood swings
- Patterns of unstable relationships
- Fear of being alone/abandoned
- Struggle with identity
- Low self-awareness
- Reckless or impulsive behavior
- Emotional restriction
- Angry outbursts
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Dissociation
- Self-harm
Reframing Negative Thoughts
People who have the quiet BPD subtype remain largely inside their heads. They hold their feelings inside. Impulsivity and recklessness are symptoms of borderline personality disorder. But those with quiet BPD may be holding things inside for a long time before they engage in behaviors that seem rash. People with quiet BPD and other types of the disorder struggle with negative thinking patterns. Since thoughts can influence feelings and behaviors, it’s important to change one’s unhealthy thoughts. In treatment for borderline personality disorder at Aliya Health Group, we teach clients how to reframe their negative thoughts. We believe healing starts within, so working on one’s beliefs and thoughts is essential in the recovery process.
What Causes Quiet BPD?
It is unknown what exactly causes borderline personality disorder and its four subtypes. As with any mental disorder, the development and the reasons why are complex. Generally, there are numerous contributing factors that lead to the development of a mental disorder like BPD. Some of the factors that are believed to contribute to the onset of quiet BPD are:
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
- Childhood experience
- History of mental health
- Brain chemistry
These risk factors can combine in unique ways to cause a person to develop a chronic mental illness like BPD. Also, there may be a link between substances and the onset of various mental health disorders. To elaborate, self-medicating with substances can alter your brain chemistry, similar to the way it’s unbalanced in mental disorders. For instance, weed and BPD are linked, and high levels of THC may worsen borderline personality disorder.
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Check Your CoverageHow Is Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
The first step to getting your personality disorder treated is to receive a diagnosis from a medical professional. Typically, the process involves meeting with a therapist or mental health counselor. It is likely they will need to meet with you for multiple sessions before making an official diagnosis. This is so they have time to really understand you, your struggles, motivations, triggers, and goals. As you meet, you will engage in open conversation about your unhealthy thinking, feelings, and behavior patterns. Once they feel their understanding of you is accurate, they’ll be able to write a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Note that, as mentioned, currently, the four subtypes of BPD aren’t recognized by the DSM-5 and cannot be diagnosed. However, you and your therapist can discuss the subtypes to create a custom service plan for your recovery. Our mental health therapists and counselors can walk you through this process at one of Aliya’s treatment centers.
How Is Borderline Personality Disorder Treated?
Once you have a diagnosis, treatment for BPD is straightforward. At Aliya, we offer a comprehensive model of treatment that includes traditional therapy, holistic wellness, and optional medication management. Quiet BPD treatment is the same as borderline personality disorder treatment. Each client receives a custom service plan that outlines their recovery plan. While in recovery, they can move through the various levels of care for a well-rounded healing experience.
Psychotherapy for BPD
Psychotherapy is traditional talk therapy for mental illnesses like BPD. Each client engages in psychotherapy, which may include a mixture of individual and group therapy sessions. During treatment, you will meet with your therapist to unpack the roots of your symptoms and struggles. You will discuss identity formation, emotional regulation, healthy patterns, and positive coping mechanisms.
Holistic Therapy for BPD
Additionally, we offer holistic therapy for quiet BPD that treats the mind, body, and spirit consecutively. Holistic therapies are especially effective when combined with traditional therapy in a comprehensive treatment plan. Thus, all of our clients participate in holistic activities, but they are encouraged to try multiple options and see what resonates.
Medication for BPD
We also offer an optional medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for those who benefit from the extra support of medication. Our programming teaches individuals how to manage their symptoms with medication. During MAT, clients work with their therapist to determine the right medication matching. Fortunately, borderline personality symptoms can significantly ease and improve with medication.
Finding Help for Borderline Personality Disorder
A person with quiet BPD may internalize their emotions, making their disorder symptoms less noticeable compared to typical BPD. Individuals with quiet BPD often experience intense mood swings, emotional distress, and a chronic feeling of emptiness, yet they may struggle silently rather than outwardly expressing their emotions. Symptoms of quiet borderline can include self-destructive behavior, avoidance of conflict, and difficulty maintaining relationships. Helping someone cope with quiet BPD requires a safe space, family therapy, and support from mental health professionals. A BPD diagnosis often considers factors such as family history, co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorder or stress disorder (PTSD), and patterns of emotional instability.
People with BPD can benefit from evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)—a leading approach for BPD individuals. Many seek support through an intensive outpatient program, outpatient program, or online therapy to address emotional challenges. Mental health treatment, including addiction treatment and suicide prevention resources, is crucial for those experiencing severe distress. Substance abuse, learning difficulties, and difficulties in daily life can complicate recovery, but seeking professional care through a structured behavioral health program can be life-changing. Effective intervention can help cope with quiet BPD, manage intense emotions, and improve overall well-being.
It’s never too late to seek treatment for your mental illness, even if you’ve been self-managing your symptoms for a while. There is hope of recovery for a person with quiet BPD. Please reach out about our treatment for quiet BPD if you’re ready to improve the quality of your life with Aliya’s treatment. We have a space for you at our behavioral therapy center, so contact us today!
