Psychology In Seattle Podcast Borderline vs Complex PTSD (Deep Dive) (2017 Rerun)
Apr 2, 2026
A detailed comparison of borderline personality features and complex PTSD. Discussion centers on why distinguishing these diagnoses matters. Listeners hear clinical perspectives on overlap, diagnostic challenges, and real-world implications.
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Overlap Between Complex PTSD And Borderline
- Complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder overlap in symptoms like mistrust, black-and-white thinking, and self-directed anger.
- Kirk frames the debate as whether they are distinct conditions or different labels for similar trauma-related presentations.
Clinician Debate Sparked By A Patron Question
- Kirk asks Bob, who specializes in borderline treatment, whether complex PTSD and borderline are the same, prompting a clinical debate.
- Bob confirms frequent overlap and sets up a clinician-to-clinician exploration of differences.
Assess Trauma Origins Before Choosing Diagnosis
- Distinguish diagnoses thoughtfully when treatment planning because similar symptoms may stem from attachment trauma or later life events.
- Kirk highlights trust issues, fear of betrayal, internalized anger, and black-and-white thinking as key assessment targets.