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One of the physical aspects of BPD is problems with sleep. People with BPD are likely to have trouble going to sleep and trouble getting up in the morning. One of the reasons is the “ruminating” aspect of BPD. Another seems to be that their brain chemistry is configured in such a way to utilize serotonin ineffectively. Many people with BPD will require sleep medications and sometimes will take these medications in large doses. This inability to sleep and awake punctually can also contribute to getting fired from jobs. If a BP can’t get up on time and make it on time to a job, they might get fired. Losing a job can contribute to shame. Jobs that have a lot of “down time” (time in which nothing is going on, like lulls in retail positions) can cause more ruminating and may lead to conflict between someone with BPD and their co-workers or superiors.
I found another reference to sleep issues on the Internet. According to this site, people with BPD have “significant abnormalities in REM sleep with more rapid onset and more intense REM sleep.” I’ve noticed that my wife has trouble falling asleep with major insomnia and has trouble getting up in the morning. If your BP has a job that he/she has to be at early in the morning, it might be time to find a new job.
Here is a reference I found on Paul J. Markovitz M.D., Ph.D.’s CV:
Markovitz, PJ, Comorbidity of migraines, PMS, IBS, fibromyalgia, neurodermatitis, and sleep apnea in borderline personality disorder: a possible serotonin link. Presented at the World Health Organization meeting on Personality Disorders, Cambridge, MA, September 1993.