In this article, we will look at some songs that best describe the BPD experience. We will also touch upon the themes present in these songs are linked to symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. This article will explore the Borderline experience using songs.
9 Songs That Best Describe Borderline Personality Disorder
Here are some songs that tell the BPD experience like it is:
- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
- “Please Don’t Leave Me” by P!nk
- “In the Blood” by John Mayer
- “Binge” by Papa Roach
- “Breathe Me” by Sia
- “Hysteria” by Def Leppard
- “Numb” by Linkin Park
- “Monster” by Skillet
- “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd
- “Mad World” by Gary Jules
Let’s delve a little deeper and try to see what themes each of these songs contain that are linked to Borderline Personality Disorder.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don’t know where it goes
But it’s home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk alone
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
‘Til then I walk alone
I’m walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the borderline
Of the edge and where I walk alone
.
Fear of Abandonment
The most evident theme of this song is ‘walking alone’ which can give us an insight into Borderline individuals mindsThe consistent theme in this song is fear of abandonment which is classified as the first symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder.
“Please Don’t Leave Me” by P!nk
I don’t know if I can yell any louder,
How many times have I kicked you out of here
Or said something insulting?
I can be so mean when I wanna be,
I am capable of really anything,
I can cut you into pieces,
When my heart is broken.
Please, don’t leave me
I always say how I don’t need you
But it’s always gonna come right back to this
Please, don’t leave me
Splitting
This song describes the erratic emotions that come with BPD and make relationships unstable.This is yet another symptom of BPD which is evident from the song lyrics. People with BPD tend to have black and white thinking which makes their relationships tumultuous.
“In the Blood” by John Mayer
How much of my mother has my mother left in me?
How much of my love will be insane to some degree?
And what about this feeling that I’m never good enough?
Will it wash out in the water, or is it always in the blood?
How much of my father am I destined to become?
Will I dim the lights inside me just to satisfy someone?
Will I let this woman kill me, or do away with jealous love?
Will it wash out in the water, or is it always in the blood?
Self Image Issues
People with BPD are very likely to have childhood trauma or mental illness that runs in the genes. People with BPD are plagued with self image issues which negatively affect their moods and opinions of themselves. This song captures the feeling of being unable to see oneself as their own person, and only sees oneself as bad blood or a person with defective genes and nothing more than that.
“Binge” by Papa Roach
Behave, little boy
You better sit back down
‘Til you hold your ground
It’s your turn to learn to fight
You better sit back down
‘Til you hold your ground
When I’m sober life bores me
So I get drunk again, yeah
I’m losing all my friends
I’m losing in the end
She says
Impulsive behaviour
This song perfectly describes how BPD individuals may engage in risky behaviour like drug abuse, gambling, unsafe sex and binge eating.
The theme in this song is the impulsive behaviour which is part of the Borderline personality and it shows that as much as these people tend to overindulge they do have a voice inside telling them to not destroy themselves.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
“Breathe Me” by Sia
Help, I have done it again
I have been here many times before
Hurt myself again today
And the worst part is there’s no one else to blame
Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small and needy
Warm me up
And breathe me
Ouch, I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah, I think that I might break
Lost myself again and I feel unsafe
Self Harm or Suicide
The main theme in this song seems to be self harm which is another symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder. This song conveys how lost and alone these people feel on the inside which ultimately forces them to resort to self harm.
“Hysteria” by Def Leppard
Out of touch, out of reach yeah
You could try to get closer to me
I’m in luck, I’m in deep, yeah
Hypnotized, I’m shakin’ to my knees
I gotta know tonight
If you’re alone tonight
Can’t stop this feeling
Can’t stop this fire
Periods of Emotional Intensity
This song perfectly describes the erratic mood swings and abrupt emotional highs and lows that BPD individuals go through. It feels like being on an emotional roller coaster and having little to no control over your life.
“Numb” by Linkin Park
I’m tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don’t know what you’re expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I’m becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
Chronic Feelings of Emptiness
This song perfectly captures the feeling of emptiness because numbness and emptiness go side by side. It tells how empty and invisible people with BPD actually feel.
“Monster” by Skillet
The secret side of me
I never let you see
I keep it caged
But I can’t control it
So stay away from me
The beast is ugly
I feel the rage
And I just can’t hold it
It’s scratching on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake
And I can’t control it
Hiding under the bed
In my body, in my head
Why won’t somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!
Uncontrollable and Intense Feelings of Rage
Rage is the main theme of this song and also a major symptom in the BPD list of symptoms. The BPD rage is different and is an all consuming force. The song captures that feeling by telling that people with BPD experience a rage that almost feels like a beast hidden with ready to lash out.
“Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd
Hello
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
Come on now
I hear you’re feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax
I’ll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
Dissociation
The main theme in this song is dissociation and it is also a major symptom of BPD. People with BPD experience dissociation on another level. This song also conveys that feeling of having lost one’s sense of identity and feeling disconnected from one’s own self which happens very often to people with BPD.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at some songs that best describe the BPD experience. We also touched upon the themes present in these songs are linked to symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. This article explored the Borderline experience using songs. If you have any questions or queries please feel free to reach out to us!
Frequently Asked Questions: Songs About Borderline Personality Disorder
Does music help BPD?
Music provides a creative outlet to the emptiness and rage that people with BPD experience so it may help by serving as a form of creative personal expression and help communicate their feelings.
Is BPD hard to live with?
Yes, it is indeed hard to live with a condition like Borderline Personality Disorder and people who have it experience a very strong fear of abandonment and also struggle with their relationships. They act in impulsive ways and also experience extreme paranoia.
What triggers anger in BPD?
People with BPD experience sudden and explosive rage which is unpredictable in nature. It is most often triggered by their fear of being left alone or being abandoned. Rejection can also trigger intense rage and an explosive anger in these people.
What triggers splitting in BPD?
People with Borderline Personality Disorder use splitting as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from the intense feelings of abandonment and loneliness that they experience so consistently.
How does BPD affect everyday life?
Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder that impacts the way you think and the way you view yourself, others and the world in general. It makes everyday functioning problematic because of self image issues, intensely erratic emotions, paranoia, black and white thinking, unstable relationships and many other issues.
References
25 Songs That Describe the 9 Classic Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
5 Songs That Describe Living With Borderline Personality Disorder