BPD and Insight

I've across a number of articles that state persons with BPD lack insight and was wondering whether you guys think this is true or not?

Absolutely, just from the small test area of my BPD friends (25 or so), they very much lack insight. But at other times can appear very insightful so it is deceiving.

I am lacking insight into my own condition and have come on these forums to see if I can relate to anything. No luck yet besides having a lack of insight during episodes.

Lack insight into what, exactly?

Not true! I am very insightful and am told this by anyone that listens to me talk.

You know 25 people with BPD?

I know far more than that but only consider the 25 or so to be friends. I have known some for 15 years, and I have many people referred to me by them to help with issues I have assisted with in the past.

It's a strange claim, I would have thought insight was relative to the topic and intelligence level.

But I kinda get it in relation to social situations and people.

I'm usually so consumed with other thoughts I can miss the point in conversations.

Depends. My friend with BPD can show a lot of insight into many things, but very little about herself and her relationships. It's like there's a blind spot.

I would not limit it to BPD. I would venture to say a large amount of people lack self-awareness, and this tends to lessen over time but may stay static for a host of reasons. There are many people with personality disorders who, with treatment, gain a better understanding of themselves. A diagnosis cannot box a person in. People are more complex, even those with rigid defenses and traits that developed from trauma, etc.

With the help of a wonderful husband and my own strong will to get better, I am very self aware and have a hell of a lot of insight into why and what I do. I sometimes lose this ability but then can always look back and have insight into what was going on. The older I am getting, the more insightful I am.

I can see how some people with BPD may lack insight. I don't. Sometimes I think I am too insightful and that is part of my problem.

Sometimes, it seems as though I have a great deal more insight into other people's emotional states and relationships than into my own. I think this comes from growing up as a child and feeling unimportant and ignored. We learn to scrutinize our parents' every facial expression, gesture, and emotional state to try to figure out how they feel and what they need in an attempt to connect and gain their love. Doesn't work though.

I think I agree with most everyone here. When the question was first asked, I scuffed because I'm VERY insightful....BUT....it only applies to other people. I don't know much about myself. I guess that's why I'm in therapy.

This. Thanks, btw...

I read somewhere that people with BPD have more insight to other's emotions than other people. It's because we're so reactive to emotional pain, we tend to feel it more intensely. The suffering we go through allows us to empathize with others who are suffering.

Though, on the other hand, I've also read that people with BPD have a hard time reading facial expressions. There was a study, and it showed that people with BPD read the expressions are more negative than what people w/o BPD did.

Then you have to take into account what your symptoms are (I think I was told that there are over 200 combinations), how far you have progressed, other existing disorders, etc. We're a very diverse bunch considering we share the same diagnosis. So of course some of us have more insight than others.

I do have an easy time empathizing with others. But what particularly struck me with your post is your second paragraph. I most definitely misinterpret people's facial expressions. On one hand, I am observant in noticing the slightest change of expression, but on the other hand, I tend to assume the expression is a negative change because of something I said or did.

People are more complex, I agree..
"Diagnoses" to box people in are not exactly helpful...
Insight (into self) can most definitely be worked on and "improved"
I agree with those who said many with bpd are very empathetic to others..

I am very observant in noticing people's facial expressions and tone of voice...

Now that I think about it, I've never met someone with BPD who didn't know they had it or if they didn't know they had bpd they still had insight into the fact that something was seriously wrong.

I think it would have a heavy relation to the mood one is in and what is going on in the present. Having BPD, as does my Fiancee', there are times we can be very insightful. Usually when there is a calm time going on. However, when angry or arguing I must admit that neither of us have anything akin to our usual insight. Sadly that is the time we need insight the most in order to stop the swirling words and angered feelings from taking over

I've been told by both my current psychiatrist and therapist that I'm very self aware.

Thank you. More people need to realize this! Also, by any chance did you discover that bit about BPD people tending to interpret facial expressions as hostile or negative from a youtube documentary about BPD? Because I saw that once, when I was still reading up about my disorder after being diagnosed.

I think for me my lack of insight stems from the distress of my extreme emotions. If I am not in that "cycle", I believe I have more insight about myself.