Table 14 Main psychopathological items in the description of different Psychopathological Functioning Levels (PFLs) in Borderline Personality Disorder
Items | PFL 1 | PFL 2 | PFL 3 | PFL 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ID | Partial symbolic and pre-symbolic representations of self (nuclear identity) | Splitting and idealization of self and others representations (split identity) | Avoiding consequences of being aware of one’s own and others contradictory qualities (anti-ambivalent identity) | Anti-ambivalent and hyper-ambivalent aspects of identity |
CO | Impaired comprehension of one’s own and others behaviors in terms of thoughts, desires and expectations | Comprehension of one’s own and others behaviors, thoughts and emotions, only if they do not upset self-image | Concrete thought | Poor tolerance of contradictory aspects of one’s own and others behaviors, thoughts and emotions |
When divergent motivations stem from comprehension of one’s own and others behaviors, thoughts and emotions, they are not integrated | ||||
NE | Anger, depression, feelings of emptiness | Irritation, depression, feelings of emptiness | Anger recognition, shame, depression, feeling of emptiness | Guilt, sadness, dissatisfaction, feelings of emptiness |
AR | Self-damaging and/or alienating behaviors | Threats of self-harming and/or alienating behaviors | Ideas of self-harming and/or alienating behaviors | At some extent, impulsive and/or blocked behaviors |
SS | Poor capability to manage social autonomies | Unstable tolerance for engagements and relations | Attempts to work | Poor flexibility in distancing or approaching others |
Low tolerance of loneliness |