Only recently did I find out that not everyone has an inner monologue. That voice in your head that helps you to think things through or read in silence or even just entertain you when no one is around. Some people HAVE to use their mouths to speak, or picture the words instead of hearing it in their heads. I still cannot fathom this phenomenon, but it's real. I find it strange when I have several voices in my head but to have none at all would drive me insane.
This is not researched in anyway but I believe all people with BPD have a kind of inner monologue. It's the voice with which we tell ourselves that we're a burden because we asked for help, that no one loves us because that friend didn't text back, that having sex with someone will make them love us. It's the voice we can't get rid of because it goes from 0-1000 at mach speeds. It's a part of us that stays consistent when all else fails. No matter the mood that voice is there hyping up the situation.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that helps specifically borderlines learn to identify emotions, and respond to them appropriately as we are not great with either task. It helps us to control that inner monologue so that it dissects the situation rather than just be it's hype man.
People with BPD feel emotions more intensely, and for longer periods of time than the average person. That inner voice helps make that possible. Playing a scenario over and over and allowing the emotions to fester. Like a said: a real hype man.
Help your friend by dropping a good word or two to let them know what a great person they are. And if you can, get them a book on DBT, help them to find a counselor to help tame that inner David Guetta.
Love,
Dat Bahamian Borderline
Hearing this, makes me feel guilty because I am not checking on my friend everyday. How often should you check on your friend?!