5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
Title
6. affective instability due to a marked Reactivity of mood
Title
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging
Title
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
Title
2. unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
Title
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
Borderline Personality Disorder
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.
Title
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness
Title
8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
Title
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Specific Culture, Age, and Gender Features
Description
Title
The pattern of behavior seen in BPD have been identified in many settings around the world.
Title
Adolescents and young adults with identity prolems may transiently display behaviors that misleadingly give the impression of BPD.
Title
About 75% of individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder are females.
Prevalence
Description
Title
2% of the general population
Title
10% among individuals seen in outpatient mental health clinics
Title
30% to 60% among clinical populations with personality disorders.
Course
The course of the disorder is generally variable.
Most Common Pattern
The most common course of BPD involves chronic instability in early adulthood, with episodes of serious affective and impulsive dyscontrol and high levels of use of health and mental resources.
Title
Impairment from the disorder and the risk of suicide are greatest in the young-adult years and gradually wane with advancing age.
Title
By the time they get to their 30s and 40s, the majority of individuals with this disorder attain greater stability in their relationships and vocational functioning.
Familial Pattern
Description
Title
BPD is about five times more common among first-degree biological relatives of those with the disorder than in the general population.
Title
There is an increased risk for family members with Substance-Related Disorders, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Mood Disorders.
Associated Features and Disorders
Description
Title
Mood Disorders
Title
Psychotic-like symptoms
Title
Substance-Related Disorders
Title
Physical Handicaps
Title
Eating Disorders
Title
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Title
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Title
Other Personality Disorders
Title
20% among psychiatric inpatients
Title
Suicidal thoughts and actions
Title
Lifelong tendencies toward intense emotions, impulsivity, and intensity in relationships.
Differential Diagnosis
Borderline Personality is distinguished from the following disorders:
Schizotypal PD
BP's schizotypal tendencies are more transient, interpersonally reactive, and responsive to external structuring.
Histronic PD
BP is distinguished by anger, loneliness/emptiness and self-destruction
Paranoid &Narcissistic PD
BP has more of unstable self images, self destructing behavior, abandonment concerns, and impulsivity.
Antisocial PD
BP individuals are manipulative to gain attention or concern of caregivers.
Dependent PD
BP individuals are manipulative to gain attention or concern of caregivers.
Title
Most people with BPD see improvement within the first year of therapeutic treatment.
Title
Studies indicate that after about 10 years, as many as half of the individuals with BPD no longer have a pattern of behavior that meets the full criteria of BPD.