High/Low functioning BPD - The differences?

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.

I sorta get this. I'd be in the high functioning category.

Like, to the outside world, I am the most confident, successful person ever. Because, 24/7, I am acting to the outside world. That's where my HPD comes in... It's just a mask for my BPD (the core issue). When I eventually told my psychiatrists the truth over how I feel/ what I think/ the nasty, revengeful and illegal things I have done... They were a bit shocked themselves... Cos even they didn't see it coming. Like, my typical psych sessions involve rocking up, smiling, flirting and chatting up the receptionist on the front desk, then walking into the room, dropping the mask, and revealing all...

However, thankfully, I was born with brains and a little bit of looks to keep my coping mechanisms in place. Still, for the BPDs who really do struggle, I empathise with them a lot.

evgoddess wrote:

rainbow_sprinkles wrote:

Beatrix Kiddo wrote: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 =[

Yes, and sometimes, like in my case, it's hard to explain to your therapist and your psychiatrist, and finally you lose your job because no one would listen to you repeatedly ask for solutions. I saw myself getting worse and worse. I'm able to conceal and control my anger, and while I don't get violent, I do tend to remove myself from the situation when I find myself getting past a certain threshhold. It's a mechanism I learned as a teen so I didn't get into fights.

Only problem is, it lead to me walking off the job and ending up unemployed.

So it can also make, even when you try to get help, that help become very very hard.

I had a solution though. When I was down in the shitter, I wrote my psych a letter. I hope they finally get it. We tend to bottle things up better too I've found, which is for obvious reasons really bad for our health.

I'm able to conceal and control my anger, and while I don't get violent, I do tend to remove myself from the situation when I find myself getting past a certain threshhold. It's a mechanism I learned as a teen so I didn't get into fights.

Repress, repress, repress... And when someone asks "How are you?", you reply "Good", with a smile, because you will never let anyone into what you really think and feel.

cacster wrote:

I'm able to conceal and control my anger, and while I don't get violent, I do tend to remove myself from the situation when I find myself getting past a certain threshhold. It's a mechanism I learned as a teen so I didn't get into fights.

Repress, repress, repress... And when someone asks "How are you?", you reply "Good", with a smile, because you will never let anyone into what you really think and feel.

Haha, this is me! Not only do you do it consciously, your subconscious mind is doing it as well. You tend to seem to get alot angrier when no one else is in the room, because your subconscious mind represses what you consciously do not. Then have the fun explaining when someone comes into the room at an inopportune time.

Then have the fun explaining when someone comes into the room at an inopportune time.

When I am dissociating or generally been caught out having a bad BPD moment... Feigning illness explains everything - a migraine works well...

cacster wrote:

Then have the fun explaining when someone comes into the room at an inopportune time.

When I am dissociating or generally been caught out having a bad BPD moment... Feigning illness explains everything - a migraine works well...

I've said I just have a bad headache, or that I just can't get my damn pulled muscle to stop hurting. They'll think I'm a scheming psycho if they knew I was just ruminating about something bothering me.

Also, when others are in the room, I won't realize I'm angry, I'll just know my brain is thinking negative thoughts. Because my brain will put it out of my mind just that much

Wow that wraps it up for me, I was questioning myself because my psych said "I knew you were a high functioning BPD just from speaking to you" I couldn't understand the comment but I guess now I do.
I loose my jobs often because I just walk out, I don't get angry - only to the better half or my family. I get ridiculous social anxiety, but I'm confident, extroverted and comfortable in myself but inside I'm like Oh pants when do I next offend someone (regular occurring - from black/white thinking) inside I just need help, thank god it's finally happening, my partner triggers me purposefully though, luckily for him my med's have made a zombie out of me and I tend to walk away before killing him lol.
Pleased people are on a similar wave length, although I wouldn't wish BPD on my worst enemy!

Low Functioning Borderline – The “Low Functioning” borderline is what most people think of when they are first introduced to the condition. Low functioning BPDs are a living train wreck. They have intense difficulties taking care of their basic needs, are constantly experiencing mood swings. They also have an extremely hard time managing any sort of relationship with another human being. Low Functioning BPDs are often hospitalized more than other BPD types, for the very reason that they can’t live productively without constant coaching and supervision. These patients are challenging for all but the most experienced psychiatrists. Unless otherwise treated, low functioning borderlines lead self destructive lives and attempt to manipulate those around them with desperate acts, including self harm (cutting, etc.).

High Functioning Borderline – The High Functioning Borderline Personality shares many core aspects of the low functioning borderline personality, except for the fact that they can manage their lives, appear to be productive, and generally keep their relationships civil (even diplomatic in nature). High Functioning borderlines can appear to be normal, driven people one moment; then moody, inconsolable, and manipulative the next. Somehow, there is a mechanism within the minds of High Functioning Borderlines that allows them to lead somewhat “competent” lives, despite the fact that they are in a constant battle with BPD. High functioning BPDs are no better than low functioning: it’s basically the same face wearing a different mask.

Extroverted Borderline – Anyone familiar with the Meyer-Briggs personality tests will understand the psychological differences between extroversion and introversion. When these characteristics are mixed with BPD, there are two different results. The Extroverted Borderline pushes all their feelings, fears, manipulation, rage, and moodiness outward to the people around them. In essence, if you are around an extroverted BPD, you feel like you’re living through their emotions while coping with your own at the same time. Further, extroverted BPDs will attempt self abusive acts in plain view of others in order to avoid abandonment or to express their rage. For example, an Extroverted BPD might cut themselves and then immediately share it with family and friends around them, hoping to gain sympathy or attention. In most cases, these types of behaviors frighten non-Borderlines, and they wonder whether or not the Extroverted BPD should be committed to a psych ward.

Introverted Borderline – Contrary to popular belief, “introverted” doesn’t necessarily describe someone who is a recluse (agoraphobic). Instead, introversion is characterized by experiencing life in a self-reflective, private, and at times distant manner. To others, introverts may appear shy or lacking in people skills. This might be true, however, introverts make up for their lack of social skills with rich inner lives, thoughts, and deep thinking. As a result, the introverted Borderline primarily focuses all their BPD emotions and reactions inward. Instead of having a rage episode in public, they might retreat to their rooms and cry for hours on end, perhaps even cutting themselves for their own amusement or as stress relief. Introverted Borderlines live in an odd world: on one hand, they spend most of their time in personal thought and reflection, looking to fill themselves with a viable sense of self; but on the other, they are conflicted by emptiness and the bottomless emotional pit that BPD produces. Introverted BPDs might be harder to “spot” unless you happen to know one personally, in which case you might notice occasional depressive symptoms and evidence of self harm.

Transparent Borderline – The Transparent Borderline is a bit of a mix between a high functioning borderline and either extroverted or introverted tendencies. In plain terms, Transparent Borderlines live double lives: on the surface, “in public”, they appear one way, but in private, amongst immediate family and friends, they appear completely different. As a result, they may or may not be high functioning due to this conflicted state of mind. Transparent Borderlines spend most of their emotional energy trying to balance the personality demands of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the both of which experience strong BPD emotions like anyone else with the disease. Like Introverted Borderlines, Transparent Borderlines are harder to spot, and often only confess their true disposition after a harrowing rage, major break up, or other severely traumatic event that brings all their BPD feelings to the fore.


I remember posting this on my BPD tumblr blog. I am a Transparent Borderline.

May I say, Anasui... Wow! Incredible post.

I was totally engaged reading that.

Answered it for me... I'd be right in the Transparent BPD zone... Which may explain why even BPD specialist psychiatrists and psychologists spent a year trying to diagnose me as they bounced between BPD and HPD. In the end, it was determined that my HPD is me trying to escape from BPD. While HPD may appear, at times, personality-wise, BPD is the inner core issue.

I'm definitely low functioning and I have no problem admitting it. That's not to say I'm claiming to be worse off than high functioning BPDs, it's just obvious to me I'm extroverted but very low functioning because of my symptoms and lifestyle.

I had many symptoms of BPD since childhood, I almost got expelled from high school for nearly failing three classes, I've been hospitalized three times, I have daily mood swings, get aggressive and paranoid when I'm around people I don't know, I have a history of drug and alcohol problems which derailed my life and resulted in my dropping out of college, I'm unable to work and have worked for less than one year total in my whole life, I've had legal issues related to personal conflicts, impulsive behaviors, and debt problems, I have one hell of a temper, and I've driven most of my friends away because my relationships with others are very unstable. Also my own family is scared of me, and have been since my early teens.

I'm not trying to be melodramatic but I'm definitely of the low functioning subtype and would say it's a daily struggle. The only thing I'm really high functioning about is interacting with others on a very superficial level.