Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is different for everyone who experiences it. This disorder can come with many different symptoms, from anger and impulsivity to persistent feelings of emptiness. If you have BPD, you may have trouble controlling your emotions and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. In addition to the typical signs of BPD, you may also notice other symptoms, such as auditory hallucinations. These symptoms might make you wonder if they’re additional signs of BPD or something else.

Psychosis refers to symptoms that involve difficulty connecting to reality. These symptoms can sometimes develop in people with BPD. Learning more about psychosis and how it can connect to BPD may help you get a better understanding of your own condition and how it can be managed.

The connection between BPD and psychosis

Psychosis and borderline personality disorder are often linked. According to a 2022 report, studies over the years have shown that up to 54% of people with borderline personality disorder experience psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms are defined as symptoms that cause a person to lose touch with reality. Someone experiencing psychotic symptoms may hear or see things that aren’t there. They may also start to form strongly held beliefs that have no basis in reality.

Understanding some of the most common psychotic symptoms can be key to understanding whether you’re experiencing psychosis. Psychotic symptoms, as well as other symptoms of BPD, can be addressed with effective mental health treatment. If you want to know more about your condition and how to treat it, seeking professional support is vital.

Psychotic symptoms that can occur in people with BPD

• Hallucinations — Do you experience sights or sounds that those around you don’t notice? These could be hallucinations. Hallucinations can affect multiple senses. While media frequently depicts hallucinations as a visual experience, they can also affect your sense of touch, taste and hearing. Auditory verbal hallucinations are especially common among people with BPD. These hallucinations typically sound like someone is talking to you. You may hear one voice or several. Hallucinations can be disturbing and confusing, as they can make it difficult to tell what is real. Treatments like therapy can help you find ways to cope with hallucinations and prevent them in the future.
• Delusions — Delusions are beliefs that aren’t based in reality. These beliefs are often firmly held, making them difficult to change. They may be connected to paranoia and distrust. For example, you may strongly believe that your friends are plotting against you. You may feel that someone close to you, such as a parent or partner, is planning to betray you, even if you have no evidence to support your belief. While delusions can occur in BPD, they tend to be less pervasive than in psychotic disorders. Delusions tend to be projections of deep fears and emotional pain. Peer support groups and one-on-one therapy can help you work through the thoughts and feelings behind any delusions you experience.
• Dissociation — Do you ever feel disconnected from your body? You could be experiencing dissociative episodes. Dissociation refers to a mental state where a person feels disconnected from themselves. While it’s a BPD symptom, it’s generally considered part of the broader disruption in identity and sense of self typical of the disorder, rather than a psychotic symptom. When dissociating, you may feel you’re watching your life unfold like a movie or a dream. The distance you feel can make it hard to take actions while dissociating. After a dissociative experience, you may have trouble remembering anything that happened during your episode. A therapist can help you learn grounding techniques to manage and reduce the occurrence of dissociative episodes.
• Confusion — Psychosis can be confusing. You may feel like you can’t trust your senses, feelings or thoughts. During this time, finding direction in life can be hard. Fortunately, treatment can help you find clarity and a sense of direction. By seeking treatment, you can put yourself on a good trajectory toward stability and mental wellness. Mental health treatment can be instrumental in helping you ground yourself in reality and lead a balanced, meaningful life.

Get help managing your BPD symptoms at Lightfully Behavioral Health

If you have borderline personality disorder, with or without any connected psychotic symptoms, Lightfully Behavioral Health can help. Our deeply compassionate licensed clinical experts utilize a holistic, data-driven framework that informs everything we do. Our Precision Care Model (PCM) is designed to effectively address a range of conditions, including psychosis and BPD. With our help, you can benefit from expert guidance and a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step in addressing psychotic symptoms, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.