Can you have both BPD and narcissistic personality disorder?
Nearly 40\% of those with borderline personality disorder also have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). A person can have one disorder and traits of the other as well.
Do narcissists and borderlines attract?
The reason why these personality types are attracted to one another is they magnetise. Each one helps the other play out their individual drama by fulfilling their needs. In the case of the borderline sufferer, when they first encounter the narcissist, they see everything they are not and cannot do.
What is the connection between narcissistic personality disorder and BPD?
Narcissistic personality disorder (or NPD) is a personality disorder that frequently co-occurs with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The addition of NPD into the diagnostic picture may complicate the treatment and course of BPD. What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Can BPD and NPD co-occur?
Research does suggest that people with both NPD and BPD are less likely to have their BPD symptoms get better over time. One study that followed BPD patients over six years found that rates of co-occurring NPD were fairly low (about 6\%) in patients whose BPD eventually went away (remitted).
What is the rate of incidence of non-remitting borderline personality disorder?
However, rates of co-occurring NPD were higher (around 19\%) in patients whose BPD did not remit after six years. 4 So, there is a subset of individuals with non-remitting BPD and higher rates of NPD. The relationships of individuals with BPD are often quite dysfunctional.
How does co-occurring NPD affect relationships?
In addition to the chaotic emotional life and fears of abandonment associated with BPD, a person with co-occurring NPD may also take advantage of or manipulate others while having little empathy for others’ concerns. This combination can be incredibly destructive in relationships.