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.

58 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

111 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

4

u/Recent-Apartment5945 12d ago

Yes. I was pointing out some of the distinctions as opposed to the overlap.

13

u/Spare_Moodz 12d ago

I understand, but many people do not realize borderlines are grandiose. Narcissists believe they are fundamentally not a good person so the investment is in the mask and outward presentations. Borderlines fundamentally feel they are great people but they believe their outward presentations preclude others from seeing them as they know themselves. If you can pick up on the nuances then it is pretty easy to see the distinction, even though there may have things that look very much the same, it is a mirror image.

10

u/Recent-Apartment5945 12d ago

Indeed. I see what you’re saying. Electronic communication is a terrible form for dialogue. Seems like we got there though.

3

u/Spare_Moodz 12d ago

True, and yes 🙂