Positive Traits of People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Having a mental health diagnosis can be incredibly difficult for some people to accept and cope with. Many individuals feel ashamed or scared when they receive a diagnosis such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). These feelings are normal and to be expected. It is important to remember, however, that while BPD can increase the risk of certain difficulties, it also has positive traits that come along with it.

Most people associate BPD with negative traits such as impulsivity and volatile emotions. But despite this, there are many positive traits associated with those who have BPD. Understanding these positive aspects can help reduce stigma around the disorder and provide relief and understanding to those who struggle with BPD.

Relationships

Individuals with BPD tend to have a strong sense of attachment. These individuals like to feel deeply connected to their loved ones and tend to exhibit loyalty and an intense interest in those around them. Additionally, people with BPD have an increased level of creativity and originality; from creating unique art projects to solving difficult problems, these individuals excel in areas of creative expression.

People with BPD are also known to be caring and reliable. This high level of responsibility allows them to be the shoulders their loved ones can lean on. Moreover, people with BPD possess a strong sense of empathy; they are often able to tune into others' feelings and can be very understanding of their point of view.

Career and Money

Just as people with BPD have strong attachments in relationships, these individuals also demonstrate an increased level of dedication and commitment to their careers. They have a strong desire to succeed and will often put in extra effort to reach their goals. This determination is the result of the emotional regulation difficulty present in BPD, intensifying the individual’s emotional experience of perseverance and ambition.

People with BPD are often great at multitasking and can easily handle large workloads. As a result, people with BPD tend to be successful in career-oriented fields and make great employees overall. Additionally, individuals with BPD usually display exceptional problem-solving skills as well as the ability to think outside the box. With their creative solutions and innovative ideas, they are always welcome additions to any team.

Parenting and Family

In spite of their valuable assets in other areas of life, parents with BPD can often be thought of as unreliable or unpredictable. In reality, though, these parents demonstrate an overwhelming mission to provide a better life for their children and others around them. People with BPD often show a deep understanding of what is necessary to properly care for those in their lives.

Furthermore, people with BPD express personal traits that find their way into the structure of parenting. By having an increased level of loyalty and empathy, parents with BPD are able to bond and connect with their children intimately. Additionally, individuals with BPD tend to be highly intuitive; this innate gift of understanding allows parents with BPD to recognize their child’s needs before anyone else.

It is not uncommon for those with BPD to be characterized by those who don’t understand them. Unbeknownst to many, however, people with BPD are more than meets the eye. Far beyond the signs and symptoms listed on paper, individuals with BPD possess a positive side that is often overlooked. From being supremely loyal to displaying immense levels of empathy, those with BPD carry many valuable traits that prove useful in every area of life. Most importantly, understanding these positive aspects of BPD can be essential in helping those with the disorder to find value in their diagnosis—enabling them to feel understood, accepted, and capable of living life to its fullest.