Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Exam Questions and Answers Solved Correctly
Describe BPD - Answers A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and
affects, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Criterion 1 - Answers Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. (Note: Do not include
suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour covered in Criterion 5.)
Criterion 2 - Answers A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by
alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
Criterion 3 - Answers Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of
self.
Criterion 4 - Answers Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending,
sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). (Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating
behavior covered in C5)
Criterion 5 - Answers Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
Criterion 6 - Answers Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic
dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
Criterion 7 - Answers Chronic feelings of emptiness.
Criterion 8 - Answers Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays
of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
Criterion 9 - Answers Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Describe Linehan's Biosocial Developmental Model of BPD - Answers Interaction b/w child
characteristics/temperament, caregiver characteristics, and environmental influences
List the underlying characteristics/temperament vulnerabilities associated with BPD - Answers 1. High
negative affectivity
2. Early impulsivity
3. Heightened emotional sensitivity and difficulty regulating emotions
List the care-giver and environmental vulnerabilities for BPD - Answers Caregiver's sometimes respond
to child's requests for help/support positively, other times with punishment
Teaches child to escalate distress to be listened to
Describe the Emotional Cascade Model of BPD - Answers Rumination heightens intensity of negative
emotions → short term need to stop the emotional cascade → extreme actions to stop rumination
Describe BPD - Answers A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and
affects, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Criterion 1 - Answers Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. (Note: Do not include
suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour covered in Criterion 5.)
Criterion 2 - Answers A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by
alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
Criterion 3 - Answers Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of
self.
Criterion 4 - Answers Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending,
sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). (Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating
behavior covered in C5)
Criterion 5 - Answers Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
Criterion 6 - Answers Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic
dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
Criterion 7 - Answers Chronic feelings of emptiness.
Criterion 8 - Answers Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays
of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
Criterion 9 - Answers Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Describe Linehan's Biosocial Developmental Model of BPD - Answers Interaction b/w child
characteristics/temperament, caregiver characteristics, and environmental influences
List the underlying characteristics/temperament vulnerabilities associated with BPD - Answers 1. High
negative affectivity
2. Early impulsivity
3. Heightened emotional sensitivity and difficulty regulating emotions
List the care-giver and environmental vulnerabilities for BPD - Answers Caregiver's sometimes respond
to child's requests for help/support positively, other times with punishment
Teaches child to escalate distress to be listened to
Describe the Emotional Cascade Model of BPD - Answers Rumination heightens intensity of negative
emotions → short term need to stop the emotional cascade → extreme actions to stop rumination
