Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can significantly impact an individual's locus of control. Locus of control refers to the belief system an individual holds about the degree to which they have control over their life events and outcomes. There are two primary types of locus of control:
Internal Locus of Control: People with an internal locus of control believe that their actions and decisions largely determine their life outcomes. They feel empowered and responsible for their choices.
External Locus of Control: Individuals with an external locus of control tend to believe that external factors, such as luck, fate, or other people, predominantly influence their lives. They may feel helpless and believe that they have little control over their circumstances.
In the context of BPD, the following factors can influence an individual's locus of control:
Emotional Dysregulation: People with BPD often struggle with intense and rapidly changing emotions. This emotional volatility can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and a perception of being controlled by their emotions rather than having control over them. This sense of internal chaos may contribute to an external locus of control.
Impulsivity: Impulsivity is a common feature of BPD, and it can lead individuals to engage in actions without fully considering the consequences. After experiencing the fallout of impulsive behaviors, individuals with BPD may feel that they lack control over their impulses and actions.
Fear of Abandonment: Individuals with BPD frequently have a heightened fear of abandonment and may perceive external events, such as a loved one leaving or rejecting them, as a direct result of their actions or shortcomings. This fear can lead to an external locus of control, where they may feel helpless to prevent abandonment.
Idealization and Devaluation: BPD can involve a pattern of idealizing others and then quickly shifting to devaluing them. This dichotomous view can contribute to an external locus of control, where they may believe that others have significant power over their emotional state and self-worth.
Interpersonal Conflicts: Difficulties in managing relationships are common in BPD, and individuals may attribute the success or failure of these relationships solely to external factors or the actions of others.
Self-Identity Instability: A core feature of BPD is identity disturbance, where individuals may struggle to maintain a stable and cohesive sense of self. This can lead to feelings of confusion and a lack of control over their own identity.
It's important to note that not all individuals with BPD will have the same locus of control. Some may exhibit predominantly internal locus of control in certain areas of their lives, while others may lean towards an external locus of control overall. Additionally, the locus of control can vary based on life circumstances, emotional states, and individual coping mechanisms.
Therapeutic interventions, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help individuals with BPD develop a more balanced and adaptive locus of control, enhancing their ability to take responsibility for their actions while recognizing and managing external factors beyond their control.