Q. (1) What is the physical trauma you believe contributes to BPD? Does it necessitate a brain injury, head trauma or the like (I’ve had nothing that I recall like that).
A. My first book “Life at the Border” goes into this more thoroughly, but it appears the brain has to keep it’s moods and emotions under check – while the exact mechanism has not been worked out yet, it appears that system gets broken and nerve cells start to fire inappropriately and out of control.
Q. (2) Is there a genetic proclivity towards this, in his opinion, as my doctor seems to believe?
A. Absolutely, possibly as high at 50/50. I firmly believe that attention deficit disorder (very genetic) un or undertreated contributes enormously to the BPD.
Q. (3) Is the heightened “sensitivity” my doctor and others describe, a biological element, or an emotional immaturity based on self obsession which is so negatively ascribed to us?
A. I think it’s biological, however when you’ve been in enough pain long enough emotionally you can be over sensitive. “Emotional immaturity based on self obsession” is an insulting term to victims of the BPD, and in my opinion untrue.
Q. (4) Is early abuse a common or necessary factor? Or, can an exaggerated “sensitivity” (see #3) inherent in the personality create an adverse response to stressors that others dismiss as a normal part of growing up?
A. Abuse is common, but absolutely not necessary. Increased rejection sensitivity biologically can contribute as well. The tone of your question is: “Is the BPD caused by my weaknesses?” The answer is an emphatic no!
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