Exploring the Journey of Self-Discovery: The Impact of BPD on Myer-Briggs Typing

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular tool for self-discovery. However, for individuals with certain personality disorders, the results can be fascinating and sometimes frustrating. This article delves into the author's personal experience with BPD and how it affected their MBTI results over decades.

Understanding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The MBTI is a psychometric tool used to assess how people prefer to take in information, make decisions, and orient themselves to the external world. The indicator provides a four-letter code that categorizes individuals based on their preferences from the following:

E (Extraversion) or I (Introversion) N (Intuition) or S (Sensing) T (Thinking) or F (Feeling) J (Judging) or P (Perceiving)

The combination of these preferences results in 16 different personality types, each with its unique characteristics and strengths.

A Personal Journey with BPD and MBTI

The author, at 56 years old, has firmly established themselves as an INTP (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) through their lifelong experience. However, their initial experience with the MBTI at age 22 was quite different. They were fascinated by the test and encouraged their colleagues to take it, with most people receiving clear and consistent results. But not the author. They struggled with inconsistent results, showing significant scores in both E/I and T/F.

Over the years, the author continued to take the test, holding a persistent equal score in E/I and T/F, making it difficult to truly identify themselves with a single personality type. This experience led them to question their own identity and the nature of their chameleon-like behavior.

Seeking personal growth and relationships, the author began therapy at around age 30. Through therapy, they discovered a diagnosis of BPD, a personality disorder characterized by unstable relationships, emotions, and behavior. BPD individuals often struggle with a lack of a stable sense of self and can present different personalities based on the circumstances.

The Impact of BPD on Personality Perception

According to the author, individuals with BPD often find it challenging to define their personality type with clarity. This is due to the core symptom of BPD, which involves an unstable sense of self. Individuals with BPD tend to adopt different personas based on the person they are interacting with, making it difficult to establish a consistent identity in psychological tests.

As the author delved into BPD therapy and self-discovery, they gradually started to anchor their identity. By their 40s, they achieved a consistent result of INTP, signifying a significant personal growth and evolution.

The Question of MBTI Consistency in BPD

The author poses an intriguing question: does the consistency of an MBTI result matter for individuals with BPD? Given the chameleonic nature of BPD, it suggests that the consistency of an MBTI result might be less important than the individual's ability to maintain a stable sense of self. This experience highlights the dynamic and fluid nature of personality in individuals with BPD, emphasizing the importance of therapy and self-discovery in achieving a clearer self-identity.

Conclusion

The journey of self-discovery in individuals with BPD can be challenging and multifaceted. The MBTI, while a useful tool, may not always provide consistent results, especially in those with a fluctuating sense of self. Through therapy and personal growth, individuals can work towards stabilizing their identities and achieving a clearer understanding of themselves through tools like the MBTI.

FAQs

What is BPD?

BPD, also known as Borderline Personality Disorder, is a personality disorder characterized by unstable emotions, relationships, and behaviors. People with BPD often struggle with a lack of a stable sense of self and can present different personalities in different situations.

How does therapy help individuals with BPD?

Therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mentalization-based therapy, can help individuals with BPD develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve their emotional regulation, and build meaningful relationships. These therapies aim to stabilize the individual's emotions and provide a sense of stability in their identity.

Why is the MBTI not always consistent in individuals with BPD?

The MBTI may not consistently reflect the true personality of individuals with BPD due to their fluid and sometimes inconsistent sense of self. Therapy can aid in the process of stabilizing their identity and achieving more consistent results over time.