Shame & Implicit Self-Concept in Women w/BPD - Rusch MD, et.al.

[BPDFamily]

Shame and implicit self-concept in women with borderline personality disorder (summary)

Shame and implicit self-concept in women with borderline personality disorder (fulltext article pdf).


Submitted by Sleeper 1

I hope this is the correct process for suggesting an article of interest.  I have it in PDF.

Rusch, N., Kieb, K., Gottler, I., Hermann, C., Schramm, E., Richter, H., Jacob, G.A., Corrigan, P.W., & Bohus, M.  (2007). 

Shame and implicit self-concept in women with borderline personality disorder.

Am J Psychiatry, 164, 500-508.

I found this work interesting.  The basic premise seem to be that people diagnosed with BPD score higher on scales measuring shame than those not diagnosed with BPD, and that this is a global aspect of self-concept that contributes to pronounced levels of anger and hostility seen in those with BPD.  It also seems pretty readable.

[criticalmass06]

can not read it the font is too small.

[sleeper1]

Well I'm the first person to vote but I'm biased since I suggested it.  Incidentally, the font for the summary is too small, but the full PDF link is working great.  I suggest people go right to that one. 

This article provided some explanation for me, as I can see the BP individuals in my life going through some intense bouts of shame especially when it comes to their kids. 

[salt]

Interesting and worth reading.  I wish they had talked more about how shame manifests itself in the day to day functioning of the BPD, especially as it relates to anger and hostility.

[StressedinCleveland]

I voted fair. It's rather technical, so only a few can appreciate it.

Also, the shame aspect is not one that comes out in partnership or family relationships I don't think. My wife would never admit to feeling shame --she is too perfect for that! Similarly, she would never admit to having low esteem even though she obviously does.

It does make sense in terms of fear of embarassment. I think a fear of embarassment drives much of her behavior around others and is a key element of the "mask" or false personna. Fear of embarassment is probably closely related to fear of abandonment, which is a central characteristic of BPD.

I think this article would be of more interest to mental health professionals rather than significant others.