Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnostic CriteriaCriteria DevelopmentAssessmentGetting a DiagnosisNext in Borderline Personality Disorder GuideBorderline Personality Disorder Treatment, Recovery, and Remission
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Diagnostic Criteria
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Getting a Diagnosis
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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one type of personality disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Like other conditions, borderline personality disorder has its own specific set of diagnostic criteria in the DSM.
If you think you or a loved one may haveborderline personality disorder (BPD), it can be very helpful to educate yourself about borderline personality disorder diagnosis, including the BPD criteria required for diagnosis. Being armed with some information can help you to take the next important step: making an appointment for an assessment with a mental health professional.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
This article covers the BPD criteria for diagnosis in the current version of the DSM-5. It also discusses how borderline personality disorder is assessed, diagnosed, and treated.
BPD Criteria for a Diagnosis
How many criteria do you need for BPD? To be diagnosed with BPD, you do not need to exhibit all nine of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder listed in the DSM-5. A diagnosis requires experiencing at least five of the above symptoms.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
How Were the BPD Criteria Established?
A team of psychologists and psychiatrists, who are considered experts in BPD, developed the borderline personality disorder DSM-5 symptom criteria. Many of the workgroup members are considered preeminent BPD researchers and work directly with BPD patients.
The symptom criteria were established based on the best research available. However, it is important to keep in mind that the symptom criteria may be refined as new research comes out.
The latest version of the manual is theDSM-5-TR (text revision), which includes updates to many diagnostic criteria. However, BPD criteria remain the same in the newest version as they did in the previous version of the DSM-5.
How Is BPD Diagnosed?
There are a number of psychological disorders and medical problems that can cause symptoms very similar to those associated with BPD.For this reason, it is important to see a licensed clinician (for example, a therapist or doctor) who can listen to your concerns, conduct a thorough assessment, and make an accurate diagnosis.
A completeassessment for BPDmay include several components.
Your doctor will also need to rule out similar conditions and evaluate your symptoms to determine if you are experiencing a co-occurring condition. BPD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder.
At the end of the assessment process, your clinician will compile all of the information and make a diagnosis. Then, they will speak with you at length about the diagnosis and treatment options.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have BPD?
Borderline Personality Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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If you have health insurance, you may want to talk to the insurance company about whether the clinician takes your insurance and how many sessions would be covered, and how much the co-pay would be.
If you do not have insurance, you may qualify for public assistance programs or services through your state or region’s department of mental health or social services. You can also ask your primary care physician for a referral, or look into whether medical centers or universities in your area offer psychiatric or psychological services.
In addition to working with a clinician, it may help to educate yourself about the variety of effectivetreatments available, includingmedication, psychotherapy, and self-help treatments.Finally, it is important to know that you are not alone and that with help, people with BPD lead normal and fulfilling lives.
5 Keys to Living With Borderline Personality Disorder
4 Sources
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Association AP.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline Personality Disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.Choi-Kain LW, Finch EF, Masland SR, Jenkins JA, Unruh BT.What works in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2017;4(1):21–30. doi:10.1007/s40473-017-0103-z
Association AP.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline Personality Disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
Choi-Kain LW, Finch EF, Masland SR, Jenkins JA, Unruh BT.What works in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2017;4(1):21–30. doi:10.1007/s40473-017-0103-z
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