I have often wondered what really causes someone to suffer with BPD. I believe there can be quite a few reasons. In the case of my undiagnosed exBPDgf she had a mother that suffered from severe depression. Could that have been the cause of her BPD?
Yes this could have been the environmental catalyst.
The most up date research is showing a few of things regarding BPD:
-its genetic and environmental, both nature and nurture, at about a 50/50 split. So a child with a sensitive or naturally anxious temperment exposed to a variety of environmental factors like neglect, abandonment, invalidating (not necessarily abusive) parenting, and abuse is more vulnerable and less resilient to these factors.
-its an equal opportunity disorder affecting men and women equally. Male children can be just as sensitive and in need of positive affirmations growing up. So hug those sons if you have them.
-sexual abuse isn't always a factor. Some people who have been sexually violated are resilient and heal. It's more of people with BPD may have experienced sexual abuse rather than people who are sexually abused develop BPD. Physical abuse and emotional abuse can have the same damaging effects.
So if your ex's parent suffered from severe depression, and that depression had the typical patterns depression usually has like isolating oneself, neglecting day to day functioning and regular duties, and sometimes the overwhelming negative emotional state over long periods or cyclical periods of times (sometimes its a lifelong struggle for depression sufferers), and this person has a child who needs more emotional reassurance and stable attachment might not have received it. This is the type of situation when you step back and look there's a parent with a debilitating illness and a child who can develops one too.
It's sad state of affairs.
