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Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Complications
Coping With
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An estimated 1.4% of the adult population has borderline personality disorder, with roughly three-quarters of the diagnoses occurring in women. However, it is suggested that this is due to high rates of misdiagnosis in men.
Personality disordersare psychological conditions that begin in adolescence or early adulthood, continue over many years, and, when left untreated, can cause a great deal of distress.Thankfully, the right treatments can help significantly.
Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
Some experts propose that there are different types or subtypes of BPD. However, they often differ on what these types or subtypes may be.
For example, in one 2017 study, researchers classified BPD patients into three clusters: those with “core BPD” features only and those that feature other personality disorders, such as:
Another study supports the notion of three subtypes of borderline personality but lists them as:
A 2015 study of hospitalized BPD patients suggests that there are five subtypes. According to this approach, the different subtypes, in order of their prevalence, are:
No consensus currently exists about the types of borderline personality disorder as this mental health condition’s characteristics can be categorized in several different ways.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder can interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy life or achieve fulfillment in relationships, work, or school. Because it is a personality disorder, someone may not show signs of BPD until theirpersonality develops, with diagnoses occurring only after patients are over 18 years of age.
Symptoms of borderline personality often appear and can create significant problems in the following areas:
Not everyone with BPD experiences every symptom. Some people have a few of these symptoms, while others may experience most, if not all, of them.
Signs and Symptoms of BPD
Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
At this time, there is no definitiveborderline personality disorder test. Instead, to be diagnosed with BPD, the American Psychiatric Association’sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5-TR) indicates that the individual must experience five or more of the nine symptoms of BPD, which are:
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.
Conditions with Similar Symptoms
When making their diagnosis, a health provider or therapist will also rule out other mental health conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those experienced with BPD. Conditions that have overlapping symptoms with borderline personality disorder include:
Making this differentiation is important to finding the right treatment. For example, when comparing borderline personality disorder vs. bipolar disorder, the mood changes in people with BPD are often shorter in term, while people with bipolar tend to experience mood changes that last days or weeks.
Co-Occurring Conditions
It’s common for borderline personality disorder to co-occur with certain other mental conditions, known ascomorbidities, sometimes making it more challenging to diagnose. Conditions often co-existing with BPD include:
ADHD vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder
Like most psychological disorders, the exact cause of BPD is not known. However, research suggests that some combination of nature (biology or genetics) and nurture (environment) is at play.
A few of the proposedcauses of borderline personality disorderinclude:
Risk Factors for Borderline Personality Disorder
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing BPD. They include:
Remember that a risk factor is not the same as a cause. Because you have risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop BPD, just as people without them can develop it as well.
Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder
At one time, experts believed that borderline personality was unlikely to respond to treatment. However, research has since shown thatBPD is very treatable.Since BPD is associated with risky behaviors, self-harm, and suicide, treatment can help curb these behaviors.
Getting help from a mental health professional is critical. With consistent treatment, you can live a better quality of life with fewer symptoms. Find someone who specializes in BPD and can provide treatments targeted to this condition. This is important because if you aren’t getting the right treatment, it may not be as effective.
The usual order of treatment for borderline personality disorder includes psychotherapy, medication, then other treatments.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the standard treatment for BPD. Depending on your situation, this treatment option may also include the involvement of your family, friends, or caregivers.
Examples of psychotherapy that are specific to BPD include:
Medication
Your mental health professional may recommend that you take medication to help treat certain borderline personality disorder symptoms, such as depression or mood swings.Medications prescribed to help treat BPD symptoms often fall into one of the following categories:
Types of Medication for BPD
Other Treatments
In times of crisis, hospitalization or more intensive treatments may be necessary for someone with borderline personality disorder.Inpatient treatment for BPDis common, with roughly 79% of individuals with this condition being hospitalized at least once and 60% having multiple hospitalizations.
Complications of Borderline Personality Disorder
If left untreated, people with BPD have a higher risk of developing depression and other behaviors that can negatively impact their health, some of which include:
Coping With Borderline Personality Disorder
If you have borderline personality disorder, there are things you can do that will help improve your ability to function and cope. Steps you can take that can improve your quality of life include:
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 or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Final Thoughts
BPD symptoms can affect a variety of areas—includingwork,school,relationships, legal status, and physical health—which is why treatment is so critical. Despite the obstacles that borderline personality disorder can cause, many people with BPD lead normal, fulfilling lives when they stick with their treatment plan.
DBT vs CBT: Which Is Better for BPD?
14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition, Text Revision; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Smits ML, Feenstra DJ, Bales DL, et al.Subtypes of borderline personality disorder patients: A cluster-analytic approach.Borderline Pers Dis Emotion Dysregul. 2017;4:16. doi:10.1186/s40479-017-0066-4Lewis K, Caputi P, Grenyer BFS.Borderline personality disorder subtypes: A factor analysis of the DSM‐IV criteria.Personality and Mental Health. 2012;6(3):196-206. doi:10.1002/pmh.1183Rebok F, Teti G, Fantini A, et al.Types of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in patients admitted for suicide-related behavior.Psychiatr Q. 2015;86:49-60. doi:10.1007/s11126-014-9317-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.Krause-Utz A, Frost R, Winter D, Elzinga BM.Dissociation and alterations in brain function and structure: Implications for borderline personality disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0757-yCattane N, Rossi R, Lanfredi M, Cattaneo A.Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):221. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1383-2U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Borderline personality disorder. MentalHealth.gov.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-zStoffers JM, Völlm BA, Rücker G, Timmer A, Huband N, Lieb K.Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2012(8):CD005652. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005652.pub2Ripoll LH.Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(2):213–224.Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR, Reich B, Conkey LC, Fitzmaurice GM.Treatment rates for patients with borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders: A 16-year study.Psychiatric Serv. 2015;66(1):15-20. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400055Paris J.Suicidality in borderline personality disorder.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(6):223. doi:10.3390/medicina55060223
14 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition, Text Revision; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Smits ML, Feenstra DJ, Bales DL, et al.Subtypes of borderline personality disorder patients: A cluster-analytic approach.Borderline Pers Dis Emotion Dysregul. 2017;4:16. doi:10.1186/s40479-017-0066-4Lewis K, Caputi P, Grenyer BFS.Borderline personality disorder subtypes: A factor analysis of the DSM‐IV criteria.Personality and Mental Health. 2012;6(3):196-206. doi:10.1002/pmh.1183Rebok F, Teti G, Fantini A, et al.Types of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in patients admitted for suicide-related behavior.Psychiatr Q. 2015;86:49-60. doi:10.1007/s11126-014-9317-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.Krause-Utz A, Frost R, Winter D, Elzinga BM.Dissociation and alterations in brain function and structure: Implications for borderline personality disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0757-yCattane N, Rossi R, Lanfredi M, Cattaneo A.Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):221. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1383-2U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Borderline personality disorder. MentalHealth.gov.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-zStoffers JM, Völlm BA, Rücker G, Timmer A, Huband N, Lieb K.Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2012(8):CD005652. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005652.pub2Ripoll LH.Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(2):213–224.Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR, Reich B, Conkey LC, Fitzmaurice GM.Treatment rates for patients with borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders: A 16-year study.Psychiatric Serv. 2015;66(1):15-20. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400055Paris J.Suicidality in borderline personality disorder.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(6):223. doi:10.3390/medicina55060223
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition, Text Revision; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Smits ML, Feenstra DJ, Bales DL, et al.Subtypes of borderline personality disorder patients: A cluster-analytic approach.Borderline Pers Dis Emotion Dysregul. 2017;4:16. doi:10.1186/s40479-017-0066-4Lewis K, Caputi P, Grenyer BFS.Borderline personality disorder subtypes: A factor analysis of the DSM‐IV criteria.Personality and Mental Health. 2012;6(3):196-206. doi:10.1002/pmh.1183Rebok F, Teti G, Fantini A, et al.Types of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in patients admitted for suicide-related behavior.Psychiatr Q. 2015;86:49-60. doi:10.1007/s11126-014-9317-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.Krause-Utz A, Frost R, Winter D, Elzinga BM.Dissociation and alterations in brain function and structure: Implications for borderline personality disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0757-yCattane N, Rossi R, Lanfredi M, Cattaneo A.Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):221. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1383-2U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Borderline personality disorder. MentalHealth.gov.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-zStoffers JM, Völlm BA, Rücker G, Timmer A, Huband N, Lieb K.Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2012(8):CD005652. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005652.pub2Ripoll LH.Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(2):213–224.Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR, Reich B, Conkey LC, Fitzmaurice GM.Treatment rates for patients with borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders: A 16-year study.Psychiatric Serv. 2015;66(1):15-20. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400055Paris J.Suicidality in borderline personality disorder.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(6):223. doi:10.3390/medicina55060223
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Borderline personality disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition, Text Revision; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Smits ML, Feenstra DJ, Bales DL, et al.Subtypes of borderline personality disorder patients: A cluster-analytic approach.Borderline Pers Dis Emotion Dysregul. 2017;4:16. doi:10.1186/s40479-017-0066-4
Lewis K, Caputi P, Grenyer BFS.Borderline personality disorder subtypes: A factor analysis of the DSM‐IV criteria.Personality and Mental Health. 2012;6(3):196-206. doi:10.1002/pmh.1183
Rebok F, Teti G, Fantini A, et al.Types of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in patients admitted for suicide-related behavior.Psychiatr Q. 2015;86:49-60. doi:10.1007/s11126-014-9317-3
National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
Krause-Utz A, Frost R, Winter D, Elzinga BM.Dissociation and alterations in brain function and structure: Implications for borderline personality disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0757-y
Cattane N, Rossi R, Lanfredi M, Cattaneo A.Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):221. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1383-2
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Borderline personality disorder. MentalHealth.gov.
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
Stoffers JM, Völlm BA, Rücker G, Timmer A, Huband N, Lieb K.Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2012(8):CD005652. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005652.pub2
Ripoll LH.Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(2):213–224.
Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR, Reich B, Conkey LC, Fitzmaurice GM.Treatment rates for patients with borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders: A 16-year study.Psychiatric Serv. 2015;66(1):15-20. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400055
Paris J.Suicidality in borderline personality disorder.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(6):223. doi:10.3390/medicina55060223
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