If you’re reading this because you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, it’s a good idea to speak with a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist and/or psychiatrist, for a proper evaluation. BPD is treatable, and many people improve significantly with evidence based therapies.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by long-term patterns of instability in emotions, relationships, self-image, and behavior. Symptoms may vary from person to person, and having some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has BPD.
Common symptoms may include:
Intense fear of abandonment, whether real or perceived, which may lead to frantic efforts to avoid being left alone.
Unstable, intense relationships, often alternating between idealizing someone (“they’re perfect”) and then suddenly feeling disappointed or angry with them.
Unstable sense of self, such as frequently changing goals, values, career plans, or how you see yourself.
Impulsive behaviors that may be risky, such as reckless spending, unsafe sex, substance misuse, binge eating, or dangerous driving.
Rapid mood changes, with emotions that may shift dramatically over hours or days.
Chronic feelings of emptiness or feeling like something is missing.
Intense anger that may be difficult to control, including frequent outbursts or irritability.
Stress-related paranoia or dissociation, such as feeling detached from yourself, like you’re outside your body, or feeling that things around you aren’t real during periods of stress.
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or behaviors may occur in some people with BPD. These symptoms require prompt professional attention.
To be diagnosed with BPD, a mental health professional may look for a consistent pattern of symptoms over time that significantly affects daily functioning. The symptoms also may need to be distinguished from other conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or substance use disorders, which may have overlapping features?
If you’re reading this because you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, it’s a good idea to speak with a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist and/or psychiatrist, for a proper evaluation. BPD is treatable, and many people improve significantly with evidence based therapies.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 