No Pause Button | BPD & Impulsivity Explained

Why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why couldn’t I stop?In this episode, we explore the whirlwind of impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder, from risky decisions and explosive reactions to the silent shame that follows. We break down what’s happening in the brain during those all-or-nothing moments, and how emotional dysregulation, a reactive amygdala, and underactive impulse-control systems make it hard to hit pause.Steff and Kerry share personal stories of impulsive choices (and the aftermath), along with practical tools that can help you slow down before spiraling out. Whatever your impulse, this episode is your reminder: there’s science behind the storm, and hope in the pause.Trigger Warning: We talk about emotional intensity, sex, suicide, and substance use. Take care and pause if you need to.🌱 Have questions, stories, or something you'd like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] and let’s keep the conversation going.📩 For support on your BPD recovery journey with DBT-based skills and Mindfulness practices, email me for a free 30-Minute Consultation: ⁠[email protected]⁠ or check out the website: www.bpdsupport.org🎧 Looking for guided meditations made for emotional regulation, BPD, and more? Check out our YouTube channel Empowered Heroes for free meditations created with love and care: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Empoweredheroes⁠⁠Also available on ⁠⁠Spotify at Empowered Heroes Meditations⁠⁠.If you or someone you care about may be experiencing symptoms of BPD, know that you’re not alone. Support is out there, and reaching out to a mental health professional can be a powerful first step. Recovery is possible.📚 Referenced research includesKrause-Utz et al. (2019). Impaired cognitive control in BPD: A review of functional neuroimaging findings. Borderline Pers Disord Emot Dysregul, 6, 1–14.Linehan et al. (2023). Efficacy of DBT in reducing impulsive behaviors in BPD: A 12-month longitudinal study. Behav Res Ther, 162, 104267.Richard-Lepouriel et al. (2019). Neurocognitive correlates of impulsivity in BPD: The role of inhibitory control. J Affect Disord, 244, 33–41Schulze, Schmahl, & Niedtfeld (2016). Neural correlates of disturbed emotion processing in BPD: A multimodal meta-analysis. Biol Psychiatry, 79(2), 97–106.Silbersweig et al. (2007). Neural dysfunction in amygdala-prefrontal systems during emotional processing in borderline personality disorder. Am J Psychiatry, 164(12), 1831–1841.