Nine Features of the Narcissist / Borderline Couple | Romance & Personality Disorders

This video answers the question: Can I discuss the nature of the narcissistic personality disorder/borderline personality disorder romantic relationship? The NPD/BPD couple presents special challenges to mental health counseling. Here I will be using an example couple, in which the individual with NPD is a man an individual BPD is a woman. This, of course, is not the only type of structure for these relationships. Narcissism: There are two types of narcissism: With grandiose narcissism we see characteristics like being extroverted, socially bold, self-confident, having a superficial charm, being resistant to criticism, and being callous and unemotional. Vulnerable narcissism is characterized by shame, anger, aggression, hypersensitivity, a tendency to be introverted, defensive, avoidant, anxious, depressed, socially awkward, and shy. Narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic personality disorder, cluster B personality disorder, romantic relationships, staying with the narcissist, feeling trapped, manipulation, gaslighting, guilt trips, narcissistic abuse, grandiosity, entitlement, needing admiration, pathological lying, envy, resentment, distrust, superficial charm, feeling special or unique, fantasies of success and power, mental health, counseling Borderline Personality Disorder. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), we see nine symptom criteria for borderline personality disorder and five have to be met for a diagnosis. The symptom criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity in two areas that are potentially self-damaging, suicidal behavior, affective instability, chronic feelings of emptiness, inappropriate or intense anger or difficulty controlling anger, and paranoid ideation or dissociation.