BPD – I Don’t Think I Want to Do This

DSM5 – Pathological personality traits in negative affectivity – b. Anxiousness: feeling fearful, apprehensive, or threatened by uncertainty;

Uncertainty can be a difficult trait for those of us with BPD. The problem is related to anxiety disorders that most of us have. I located the following list of thoughts and behaviors that reflect intolerance of uncertainty[1] in an article by Arlin Concic. I think it is worth noting. Ask yourself if any of these apply to you:

1. You look for information and solutions to every possible problem you may face.
2. You worry about things even if the odds of them happening is very low (e.g., being in a plane crash, being diagnosed with cancer).
3. You require perfect solutions that must have a 100 percent chance of working.
4. You seek reassurance from others that everything will be okay, and get second and third opinions on medical matters.
5. You make lists, double-check, refuse to delegate tasks, or over-prepare to manage uncertainty.
6. You think that uncertainty means something bad will happen.
7. You feel it is irresponsible or dangerous for there to be uncertainty in your life.
8. You avoid new situations out of fear of uncertainty.
9. You procrastinate, keep predictable routines, or ask others to make decisions for you.
10. You feel that you can’t tolerate not knowing the outcome of a situation.
11. You feel that you would rather know for sure that the outcome of a situation will be bad, than be left not knowing the outcome.

I personally have difficulties with items 3, 5, 8, and 9. This is not a major area of concern for me but that is only because I have much bigger problems because of my other BPD traits. Uncertainty does prevent me from earnestly and confidently marketing my books and materials. I want to be assured of success before I put the necessary energy in to be successful. Because of the anxiety I experience because of my BPD ,everything I do takes a great deal of energy. I have to ask myself if the reward is worth the tension and anxiety that I will experience to achieve my goal. Most of the time it isn’t and I choose to take the easy way out. But there is a cost.

[1] Cuncic, Arlin.  ,Intolerance of Uncertainty Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Very wellmind. 2020.  https://www.verywellmind.com/intolerance-of-uncertainty-therapy-for-gad-4134611