Part 3/7:
Anger is another central trait. Unlike narcissistic rage, which is reactive and triggered by external challenges, the anger in BPD often manifests as a background noise—an ever-present fury or rage that can flare unexpectedly or simmer beneath the surface.
Relationship Dynamics and the Twin Anxieties
Interpersonal relationships tend to be intense and tumultuous for those with BPD. They often fluctuate between extremes of idealization and devaluation, a cycle described as approach-avoidance or splitting. For example, a person may adore their partner one moment and then suddenly despise or fear them the next, encapsulating the phrase: "I love you, I hate you, don't leave me."