NPD (Narcissism) vs BPD (Borderline) | FRANK YEOMANS

Recent questions

• What is the difference between treating borderline and narcissistic patients?

  Therapists find it easier to treat borderline patients compared to narcissistic patients due to advancements in understanding and treating borderline personality disorder. Borderline patients typically exhibit a preoccupied attachment style, oscillating between extreme views of themselves and others, making therapy more dynamic and engaging. In contrast, narcissistic patients often display a dismissive attachment style, lacking emotional responses that can leave therapists feeling ineffective. The challenge with narcissistic patients lies in therapists feeling ill-equipped to handle their emotional detachment and solidly entrenched defenses.

• Why do narcissistic patients struggle with emotional detachment?

  The root of narcissistic personality disorder often stems from a lack of unconditional love and acceptance during childhood, leading to a constant need for validation through performance rather than intrinsic worth. This contrasts with borderline patients who may have experienced intense family dynamics but not the same pressure to constantly prove their worth. Narcissistic patients often display a dismissive attachment style, lacking emotional responses that can leave therapists feeling ineffective.

• What attachment styles do borderline and narcissistic patients typically exhibit?

  Borderline patients typically exhibit a preoccupied attachment style, oscillating between extreme views of themselves and others, making therapy more dynamic and engaging. In contrast, narcissistic patients often display a dismissive attachment style, lacking emotional responses that can leave therapists feeling ineffective. The challenge with narcissistic patients lies in therapists feeling ill-equipped to handle their emotional detachment and solidly entrenched defenses.

• What makes treating borderline patients more dynamic for therapists?

  Borderline patients typically exhibit a preoccupied attachment style, oscillating between extreme views of themselves and others, making therapy more dynamic and engaging. Therapists find it easier to treat borderline patients compared to narcissistic patients due to advancements in understanding and treating borderline personality disorder. This contrasts with narcissistic patients who often display a dismissive attachment style, lacking emotional responses that can leave therapists feeling ineffective.

• How do childhood experiences influence narcissistic and borderline personalities?

  The root of narcissistic personality disorder often stems from a lack of unconditional love and acceptance during childhood, leading to a constant need for validation through performance rather than intrinsic worth. This contrasts with borderline patients who may have experienced intense family dynamics but not the same pressure to constantly prove their worth. Therapists find it easier to treat borderline patients compared to narcissistic patients due to advancements in understanding and treating borderline personality disorder.