Question: I have borderline personality disorder; should this affect my job choices?
I am trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I have tried several different jobs and in many different fields, but I never seem to be successful. I always have such great hope when I start a job, but then every boss I have is worse than the last – it is like they do not want me to be successful. Maybe I am looking at the wrong jobs; does my BPD limit my job options?
Answer:
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) does not necessarily make any jobs out-of-bounds. As anyone should, a person with BPD should look to their personal strengths and weakness, as well as interests, when making career choices. In addition, having BPD can present some unique challenges, both when making career decisions and on the job site.
Career Choices
It is possible that BPD can impact career choices, including but not limited to:
- Splitting
BPs may be more likely to view potential work situations in terms of extremes, idealizing each potential job or career choice as an opportunity like no other. The BP may be blind to anything potentially negative or questionable about the job. This perspective can also hide potential difficulties in achieving the idealized goals. For instance, if Bruce were looking into certain sales positions, he would need to be able to clearly assess his ability to make cold calls and deal with the rejection from these calls (something that he is extremely sensitive to) in order to reap the rewards of the generous sales commission plan. - Identity Issues
BPs may not have a clearly defined sense of who they are; as a result, it can be difficult to know where their job or career interests really lie. The BP may be looking for an identity in their job: a job gives an identity to the person, instead of the person's identity leading to a job. For instance, Susan cannot figure out what she wants to do, she has started several “careers” including teaching, script writing, retail, and medical technology, but nothing seems to be able to keep her interest. Susan keeps finding herself adding training classes and entry-level jobs to her resume. However, due to her identity issues, it is 10 years later and she is no closer to knowing what she wants to do for a living, nor has she finished any degree or certificate program.
On the Job
Virtually all of the aspects of BPD can impact the BP's job experience. When a person is “on the job,” he has to relate to people and operate within a defined structure. For the BP, interactions can trigger emotions, reactions, and behaviors that can be problematic.
Those with BPD may be more sensitive than others to criticism or workplace stress. He may interpret an interaction with a cross coworker as a criticism or rejection. This perceived rejection might trigger an angry outburst from the BP and possibly change his overall view of his job. He may fear that, as a result of his angry feelings, that he will be fired or, at the very least, that others do not like him. This can create a vicious cycle for the BP, which can create additional anger.
It may also be difficult for someone with BPD to separate personal and work lives, resulting in a “bleed over” of emotions. In other words, a BP may be unable to separate her anger at a friend from her regular interactions with people at work. Instead she is angry at everyone around her until she no longer feels the anger.
Poor coping skills, impulsive behaviors, and other issues relating to BPD such as substance abuse, poor sleep, self-injury, absenteeism, and related health issues can further aggravate job performance.
The Good News
Notwithstanding the difficulties they face, it is important to note that many BPs are extremely successful in their careers, even rising to the top. People with BPD can generally be found in any profession or job: medicine, education, entertainment, law, business, manufacturing, sports, and any other field.
BPD does not intrinsically limit what a person can do, but can contribute a difficulty in establishing and achieving personal goals. BPD can even cause the most successful person to doubt their abilities, despite abundant proof to the contrary. More Borderline Personality Q&A