Thin skin: chaos and boundaries in a female patient with a borderline personality disorder

Abstract

This article represents a personal therapeutic process of a young patient affected by borderline personality disorder. It synthesises the ongoing personal path of the patient who has been living abroad and thereafter has been starting to have online psychologist sessions to be supported with her decision to terminate the relationship with her partner. The personal therapeutic process shows borderline personality organization (BPO) suffered by the patient. In fact, this has been significantly observed taking into analysis the cognitive, affective, and relational functioning of the patient. Furthermore, it can the identity confusion, the disruptive impulsiveness in the actions connected with a lack in the ability to think, the poor ability to control anxiety, the instability in emotional relationships and self-perception are just some of the elements that emerge in the relationship with the patient. In a therapeutic setting where the feeling of being at a "seemingly irrecoverable stalemate" is quite substantial, the therapeutic relationship would play a role as a "corrective emotional experience"(Lancini,M., Cirillo, L., Scodeggio, T., Zanella, T.; 2020). Also, through some emotional reflections my professional endeavour strives to provide order and meaning to the emotional and psychic confusion of the patient. Lastly, my professional role can promote a positive scenario in order to value the few moments of insight, to regain possession of denied or projected aspects of herself, to remain a constant and solid reference despite her attacks.