Avoiding vulnerability is a common borderline personality disorder response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and borderline personality disorder opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Borderline Personality Disorder
- Concealing borderline personality disorder from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when borderline personality disorder is high is enormous
- Shame about borderline personality disorder thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of borderline personality disorder often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Borderline Personality Disorder
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in borderline personality disorder) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and borderline personality disorder. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Borderline Personality Disorder
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.