https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/borderline-personality-disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder affects approximately two percent of adults. It can manifest as
mood instability, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and high rates of self-injury and
suicidal behavior.
Definition
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive
instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often
disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and an individual's sense of identity.
People with BPD, originally thought to be at the "border" of psychosis and neurosis, suffer from
difficulties with emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder, BPD affects two percent of adults. People with BPD exhibit high rates of self-injurious
behavior, such as cutting and, in severe cases, significant rates of suicide attempts and completed
suicide. Impairment from BPD and suicide risk are greatest in the young-adult years and tend to
decrease with age. BPD is more common in females than in males, with 75 percent of cases
diagnosed among women.
People with borderline personality disorder often need extensive mental health services and
account for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations. Yet, with help, many improve over time
and are eventually able to lead productive lives.
Symptoms
A person with borderline personality disorder may experience intense bouts of anger, depression,
or anxiety that may last only hours or, at most, a few days. These may be associated with
episodes of impulsive aggression, self-injury, and drug or alcohol abuse. Distortions in thoughts
and sense of self can lead to frequent changes in long-term goals, career plans, jobs, friendships,
identity, and values. Sometimes people with BPD view themselves as fundamentally bad or
unworthy. They may feel bored, empty, or unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, and they have
little idea who they are. Such symptoms are most acute when people with BPD feel isolated or
lacking in social support, and they may result in frantic efforts to avoid being alone.
People with BPD often have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. While they can
develop intense but stormy attachments, their attitudes toward family, friends, and loved ones
may suddenly shift from idealization (great admiration and love) to devaluation (intense anger
and dislike). Thus, they may form an immediate attachment and idealize another person, but
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder affects approximately two percent of adults. It can manifest as
mood instability, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and high rates of self-injury and
suicidal behavior.
Definition
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive
instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often
disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and an individual's sense of identity.
People with BPD, originally thought to be at the "border" of psychosis and neurosis, suffer from
difficulties with emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder, BPD affects two percent of adults. People with BPD exhibit high rates of self-injurious
behavior, such as cutting and, in severe cases, significant rates of suicide attempts and completed
suicide. Impairment from BPD and suicide risk are greatest in the young-adult years and tend to
decrease with age. BPD is more common in females than in males, with 75 percent of cases
diagnosed among women.
People with borderline personality disorder often need extensive mental health services and
account for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations. Yet, with help, many improve over time
and are eventually able to lead productive lives.
Symptoms
A person with borderline personality disorder may experience intense bouts of anger, depression,
or anxiety that may last only hours or, at most, a few days. These may be associated with
episodes of impulsive aggression, self-injury, and drug or alcohol abuse. Distortions in thoughts
and sense of self can lead to frequent changes in long-term goals, career plans, jobs, friendships,
identity, and values. Sometimes people with BPD view themselves as fundamentally bad or
unworthy. They may feel bored, empty, or unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, and they have
little idea who they are. Such symptoms are most acute when people with BPD feel isolated or
lacking in social support, and they may result in frantic efforts to avoid being alone.
People with BPD often have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. While they can
develop intense but stormy attachments, their attitudes toward family, friends, and loved ones
may suddenly shift from idealization (great admiration and love) to devaluation (intense anger
and dislike). Thus, they may form an immediate attachment and idealize another person, but
