First zig, you know that crises is crises, no matter what pronoun we add to it.
Inside depression, there is consciousness. There just may not always be rational pre-thought. Impulsiveness is a key here as is "memory loss" and also "confusion" / flip flopping. The MLCer feels an emotional pain or "deadness" which they are desperate to escape. fear = flight (perhaps foremost).
I could surmise that the memory loss is the brains way of pushing off traumatic moments, whether self inflicted or externally perceived.
There ARE moments of clarity and during those times of clarity, one MIGHT come to the conclusion that something within them is "wrong" and state that point, even without being able to express it otherwise.
So someone in MLC COULD recognize they are MLC. And sometimes they may also just use it as an excuse and not really believe it, anyhow.
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Now regarding Class B (or other) personality disorders... in similarity to addictions... it is extremely difficult to coax one with mental health issues to get (probably necessary) help.
Many PDs have a propensity towards self denial or otherwise they feel justified.
So my personal opinion is, the tough stand really is... accept what is and leave.
And that is OK.
IF one is NOT PREPARED to do that, then a soft approach of GAL and personal growth through introspection can tide you through until maybe... just maybe... the crises ends.
There are some medical conditions that can either bring on previously non-existent PDs or create a condition where subtle PD-like behaviours become exaggerated and pronounced.
Generally speaking though, PDs don't otherwise magically appear. They exist and begin to show up quite early in a person's life.
IF the person with a PD is diagnosed and treated, that can help reduce the behaviours, to the extent they appear non-existent. In other cases, a person with an undiagnosed PD COULD self manage. If undiagnosed and self managed, an observer may still see certain symptoms / behaviours as being prevalent throughout the peron's life.
And there is a... disclaimer about MLC... one that is hard to say and hard to hear. It does happen that, as the phrase was coined, "they never come out of the tunnel". What you see is what you get. The behaviours are permanent. Or alternately, the person who comes out of the MLC tunnel, really is someone that is so different, the cognitive dissonance of the LBS basically interferes with the LBS's ability to ever reconnect with the MLCer.
Ultimately... you have to make the choice. No expectations, no regrets, focus on the past good, ignore the bad. And in some cases, it might mean and/or require a complete severing of connectedness, as applicable (kids / no kids) in order to move forward for the LBS.
