Borderline or Narcissistic? How to Tell the Difference in Real Life

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are often confused with one another. Both can involve emotional outbursts, instability in relationships, and difficulty with boundaries. But at their cores, these two mental health conditions are driven by very different fears and require very different approaches to healing. In this video, Steph Stolzenbach, LCSW, walks through real-life scenarios—like forgetting an anniversary or setting a boundary—to help you understand how BPD and NPD show up in everyday life. You’ll learn how each disorder impacts emotional regulation, attachment, self-esteem, and relationships, and what kinds of treatment can actually help.