Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can have complex and intense interpersonal relationships, and their behaviors and feelings may not always follow what might be considered typical or expected. While it is difficult to generalize about all individuals with BPD, some factors may influence how they perceive and trust others.
In BPD, there can be a pattern of intense and unstable relationships, often characterized by fears of abandonment, difficulty trusting others, and shifting perceptions of people as either all good or all bad (known as "splitting"). These patterns of thinking and feeling can lead to a lot of emotional turmoil and confusion in relationships.
In the situation you described, where an individual with BPD might trust a complete stranger over a long-time close friend, a few factors could be at play:
Fear of Abandonment: People with BPD might have an intense fear of being abandoned or rejected, which can lead them to question the motives and loyalty of even their closest friends. They might feel that a stranger is less likely to abandon them since they have no prior history with them.
Splitting: Due to the "splitting" phenomenon, someone with BPD might idealize a new person they've just met (the stranger) and see them as trustworthy and understanding, while viewing their close friend through a negative lens, focusing on perceived past mistakes or moments of perceived abandonment.
Emotional Instability: BPD can be marked by emotional dysregulation, leading to rapidly changing feelings and perceptions. The individual's trust or distrust might fluctuate significantly based on their emotional state at any given moment.
Desire for Validation: Individuals with BPD may have a strong need for validation and approval from others. If the stranger offers immediate validation or seems to understand the individual's struggles, the person with BPD might be drawn to that validation, even if it comes from someone they don't know well.
It's crucial to understand that BPD is a complex and challenging mental health condition. People with BPD can greatly benefit from therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which can help them learn healthier ways to cope with emotions, navigate relationships, and build trust in a more stable and balanced manner. Additionally, having a strong support network and open communication with friends and loved ones can play a crucial role in managing BPD effectively.