Avoiding vulnerability is a common personality disorders response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and personality disorders opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Personality Disorders
- Concealing personality disorders from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when personality disorders is high is enormous
- Shame about personality disorders thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of personality disorders often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Personality Disorders
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in personality disorders) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and personality disorders. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Personality Disorders
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.