Self-Harm vs Suicidal Behavior in BPD: Understanding the Difference | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker

Send a textIn this deeply compassionate episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker returns to expand on the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—focusing on one of the most misunderstood and sensitive topics: recurrent suicidal behavior and self-harm.Dr. Barker draws a clear and vital distinction between suicidal intent and self-mutilation, explaining how self-harm is often a form of emotional regulation, not a desire to die. With clinical insight from over two decades of experience and training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), he discusses why self-injury is addictive, what it provides for those who struggle with emotional pain, and how it connects to issues like co-regulation, trauma, and attachment.He also highlights why people with BPD may engage in behaviors that can scare loved ones away, and why being trauma-informed and nonjudgmental is critical when offering support. Dr. Barker advocates for realistic, healthier alternatives to self-harm and stresses the importance of connection, coping strategies, and reaching out for help before emotional overwhelm becomes unmanageable.Whether you're someone who self-harms, love someone who does, or simply want to understand the psychology behind these behaviors, this episode is raw, real, and filled with compassion.📌 Future episodes will explore dissociation, affective instability, and the controversial idea of “relational borderline behavior.”🧠 Leave your questions in the comments or email privately at [email protected]. 🎧 Like, subscribe, and most importantly—take care of yourself.Support the showHolding Space For You