What does unstable sense of self mean?

Unstable sense of identity means that you don’t have a good sense of who you are as a person. Some examples of an unstable sense of identity include: Feeling like you don’t know yourself. Having a very unstable sense of who you are and how you feel about yourself. Feeling “empty” much of the time.

Can a borderline develop a sense of self?

Borderline personality disorder is associated with emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and dichotomous thinking. All of these factors can make it difficult to form a coherent sense of self, because internal experiences and outward actions are not consistent.

Why do I have no sense of identity?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes identity disturbance as a “markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self” and notes it is one of the key symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Of course, people without BPD struggle with identity disturbance, too.

What does an unstable sense of self look like?

identity: The self is impoverished, poorly developed, or there is an unstable self‐image, which is often associated with excessive self‐criticism; chronic feelings of emptiness; and dissociative states under stress, self‐direction: instability in goals, aspirations, values, and career plans.

Why do people with borderline personality disorder have an unstable sense of self?

All of these factors can make it difficult to form a coherent sense of self, because internal experiences and outward actions are not consistent. In addition, many people with BPD come from chaotic or abusive backgrounds, 7 which may contribute to an unstable sense of self.

Is unstable self image a symptom of BPD?

Unstable self-image is a symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD) for many people, including me. But unlike other characteristics of our disorder like suicidal ideation, self-harm or unhealthy relationships, there’s not much help for this particular problem.

Can you have borderline personality disorder and identity problems?

Borderline Personality Disorder and Identity Problems. Many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle with identity issues—one of the core symptoms of BPD. Plenty of people without BPD struggle with identity issues, too. But people with BPD often have a very profound lack of sense of self.

What causes an unstable sense of self?

The unstable sense of self is the result of a lack of object constancy. As the child develops object constancy, it is able to form an integrated sense of its mother, that the same person who is good can also be bad, or, that a good person can nevertheless have undesirable traits.