Genetic Underpinnings and Trauma in Identity Formation

ADHD and BPD can have genetic underpinnings, and growing up with untreated ADHD and emotional dysregulation in parents can lead to trauma and emotional invalidation for the child, making it challenging to form a secure identity. Trauma can hinder the normal timeline of identity formation but doesn't mean it's impossible, just a different process. Parents with untreated ADHD may struggle to meet their child's needs, leaving the child seeking validation from other relationships. Children neglected by BPD parents may also struggle with identity and emotional dysregulation, leading to difficulty in tolerating nuances and forming a nuanced self-perception, potentially increasing the risk of BPD and engaging in splitting behavior.