How People With BPD Actually Change Their Personality Traits (Not Just Manage Them)

Have you ever been told, or told yourself, that this is just who you are? That the most you can do is mask it, manage it, survive it?In this episode, Xannie sits down with clinical psychologist and treatment researcher Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala to explore one of the most contested questions in BPD recovery: can your personality actually change, or are you just learning to perform differently?Dr. Sauer-Zavala breaks down the science behind personality trait change, explains how her treatment BPD COMPASS targets the underlying drivers of BPD symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves, and challenges the pervasive belief that personality is fixed. Xannie shares her own experience of discovering, unexpectedly, that she had already changed. The conversation is equal parts clinical clarity and lived honesty.In this episode:* BPD and personality change* Can traits like negative affectivity and impulsivity actually change?* BPD COMPASS treatment explained* The alternative model of personality disorders (AMPD) Criterion B* Treating BPD without years-long specialist waitlists* Why suppressing emotions makes them stronger* Impulsivity, trust issues, and emotional rage in BPD* What recovery actually looks like from the insideIf you’ve ever been told your personality is the problem, and that the best you can hope for is to hide it better, this episode is for you.This season, we’re discussing BPD through the lens of the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD). To meet criteria for BPD in this model, a person must have difficulties in at least two areas of personality functioning (Criterion A): identity, self direction, empathy, or intimacy, along with four or more pathological personality traits (Criterion B): negative affectivity (emotional lability, anxiousness, separation insecurity, and depressivity), disinhibition (impulsivity and risk taking), and antagonism (hostility)In the first two episodes of the season, Dr. Carla Sharp, Dr. Frank Yeomans, and Dr. Alex Stein explain what the AMPD is, how it changes from the current categorical model, and how the BPD diagnosis is changing. In case you missed it, here are the links:Watch part 1 hereWatch part 2 here⸻ Find more from Dr. Sauer-Zavala:Website: https://www.shannonsauerzavala.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self.made.personality/___🌟 Love what we do? Your support fuels these important conversations on BPD and mental health. Consider joining our Patreon community to help us continue this valuable work and unlock exclusive content. Every contribution makes a difference! 🌈✨ 🔗 Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebpdbunch ________About Us: The BPD bunch is a YouTube talk show, featuring a panel of people who are in functional recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder. Each week we discuss BPD-related topics to help give you insights into the different ways BPD can be expressed in someone’s life. We also cover the different paths we followed on our recovery journeys to give you hope and direction for your own ❤️ Thank you for being on this journey of healing with us!________Disclaimer:This video is for education only and is not meant to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.