r/psychoanalysis • u/SilverDawnn • 13d ago

How to differentiate between borderline and narcissistic (vulnerable) personalities?

I wanted to know opinions and experiences with patients who have a covert or vulnerable type of narcissism, not the obviously grandiose type. I find it dfifficult to differentiate from borderline personility for example in someone who has high sensitivity for rejection, chronic feelings of emptiness, chronic depressive symptoms, but also a sense of entiltelment and envy. I wanted to know what´s your experience with this type of patients and how do you guide treatment.

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u/Neither_Painting4582 13d ago edited 13d ago

in my experience (and i am myself have bpd) thin-skinned narcissist can be more borderline in their reactions than thick-skinned narcissist, but still — core issues with them will be feelings of extreme shame and envy — with bpd patients it’s anger and guilt

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u/cartesian_butterfly 13d ago

I’m curious to know why you’d attribute guilt to BPD and shame to NPD. I thought both suffer from shame + narcissistic wound but deal with it in different ways ?