High/Low functioning BPD - The differences?

I was recently diagnosed with BPD the psychiatrist said I was high functioning, however my blunt/honest approach to him made me easy to deal with as I clearly communicated my problems.

What is the difference between a low or high functioning BPD?

I can't imagine a difference except I can imagine low functioning to having more "outbursts" can anyone shed some light on this for me please?

missehffs wrote:
What is the difference between a low or high functioning BPD?

Low functioning would be more unstable, more crisis, more hospital stays, harder time living/coping day to day, can't maintain a job..etc.

High functioning would be the opposite..

I hate the terms high functioning and low functioning. Who wants to hear that they're low functioning? That would just be a terrible blow to my already shaky self esteem.

That being said, people who struggle more with BPD symptoms are very frequently in and out of hospitals, (I knew one woman who had almost 200 hospitalizations at just one hospital, never mind her stays at other hospitals) She was someone who had difficulties with swallowing sharp objects, as a means of self harm/trying to get her needs met. She had difficulties in her personal relationships and would often end up in relationships with people who would hurt her. She was someone who sought to get on as many psychiatric medications as she could to try to numb the pain she had from past trauma. She would tell her doctors things which were not true so that they would prescribe her more and more medication. Due to being in and out of the hospital so much, she was unable to hold down a job.

People who don't struggle as much with BPD tend to mostly have issues in their close familial relationships, friendships and romantic relationships, vs just with people they meet on the street. They probably can still hold down a job, though they may switch jobs frequently due to idealization/devaluation of the work environment or with different coworkers. They may go into the hospital from time to time, but ultimately they are still able to return to a "normal" life afterwards. They may have large amounts of debt from impulsive spending, but are still getting by. They're able to cope with their distress more independently, or by using natural supports vs relying on healthcare workers and the people in emergency services (crisis team).

There is a wide range of in betweens and of course this is very individual so one could experience a few different areas from both of these descriptions.

Great description Cheze...

I agree with ccaster! Great characterization cheze ...

People who don't struggle as much with BPD

I disagree with this (but the rest of what you say looked good). I do think 'high-functioning' BPDs struggle just as much as 'low-functioning' BPDs but it manifests differently. A hell of a lot of energy is expended trying to appear not to have a problem, but there is still a massive, massive problem under there. In many ways, HFs are worse off because they (we) very often don't get the help we need.

Beatrix Kiddo wrote:

People who don't struggle as much with BPD

I disagree with this (but the rest of what you say looked good). I do think 'high-functioning' BPDs struggle just as much as 'low-functioning' BPDs but it manifests differently. A hell of a lot of energy is expended trying to appear not to have a problem, but there is still a massive, massive problem under there. In many ways, HFs are worse off because they (we) very often don't get the help we need.

so very, very true.

Just so you know, low functioning individuals can become high functioning individuals. Not all hope is lost.

rainbow_sprinkles wrote:

Beatrix Kiddo wrote:

People who don't struggle as much with BPD

I disagree with this (but the rest of what you say looked good). I do think 'high-functioning' BPDs struggle just as much as 'low-functioning' BPDs but it manifests differently. A hell of a lot of energy is expended trying to appear not to have a problem, but there is still a massive, massive problem under there. In many ways, HFs are worse off because they (we) very often don't get the help we need.

so very, very true.

This is so true!! I always feel like sometimes, because I've never been hospitalized, etc., people don't get how serious my problems are. They end up staying inside of me instead of being dealt with. Even my family doesn't understand how serious it is....just my therapist =[

I've never been hospitalized. Been to jail a couple times. I have worked for a living for over 20 years.
I have very little social skills. I tend to scare people. I have hard time controlling my behaviors and moods.
So i can work so im functioning. But socially im not fit to be in society. Sounds like a catch 22 to me.
I High one day, low the next.