Cycle 9 - Flashcard Set 1
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
A mental health disorder characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships.
What are some common characteristics of unnecessary thoughts in people with BPD?
They are often skewed and involve concerns about the past or future.
How do unhealthy thoughts tend to be biased?
They tend to have biases in wording and do not make space for information that could help put things into different perspectives.
Why is it important for a person with BPD to become aware of their thoughts and feelings?
To attend to the feelings and adjust the thoughts that created them, avoiding ineffective reactions or impulsive behavior.
What effect does the belief about thoughts have on people with BPD?
It intensifies their belief about thoughts, making it hard for them to accept different opinions, leading to conflict and drama.
Why is it difficult for persons with BPD to get quickly unstuck from thought traps?
Because the belief about thoughts is intensified in people with BPD, making it hard for them to accept different opinions, leading to conflict and drama.
What are some short-term benefits of unhelpful thoughts?
Feeling more in control of life.
How may poor attachment experiences in childhood affect a person’s thoughts and beliefs?
They may result in an ongoing yearning to create a false sense of security, leading to clinging to unhelpful thoughts/beliefs to make the world more predictable or emotionally safe to live in.
What is the alternative to trying to avoid feelings?
Becoming familiar with them, becoming bravely aware and tolerant of them to move from a false sense of security to natural strength and self-confidence.
What does remaining ‘stuck’ in biased thoughts contribute to?
It contributes substantially to conflict/drama and makes it very hard to work with others and solve the problems of everyday life.
What must a person with BPD learn to work together with others?
To find common ground and compromise or accept differences of opinion that can’t change.
What are the potential benefits of not letting the urge to avoid certain emotions dictate one’s thoughts, beliefs, or behavior?
Experiencing true freedom, wisdom, and creativity as life unfolds.
