7: Moments of Chaos. A Temporo-Spatial Observation of Emotional Instability From a Microphenomenological Analysis

This chapter delves into the fluctuating inner states associated with emotional turbulence in individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, through the lens of microphenomenological investigation. By focusing on the unfolding of internal episodes in both time and space, this study provides a fine-grained description of how emotional surges emerge, evolve, and subside. Drawing from interviews conducted under this method, the analysis identifies key patterns and experiential shifts that occur during these episodes, offering insight into the structure of affective breakdowns and recoveries. The chapter is structured around several layers of examination, including diachronic progression, synchronic configurations, and thematic constellations that reveal the dynamic interplay between perception, bodily reactions, and meaning-making. This temporo-spatial framing of emotional episodes uncovers the rhythms and textures of instability as they are subjectively lived, highlighting the importance of capturing subtle shifts that typically remain beneath reflective awareness. Ultimately, this approach aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of complex affective phenomena and provides a methodological framework for future qualitative inquiry into unstable affective states.