10 BPD Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Borderline Personality Disorder.' Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
- 2. 'Borderline Personality Disorder.' National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a mental health condition. It impacts the way people view themselves, others around them and their interpersonal relationships.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 There are various symptoms associated with this condition, each of which may manifest differently, depending on the individual and any co-occurring mental health issues they may have.
Onset for BPD generally begins in early adulthood and typically starts off at its worst before improving with treatment and age.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 Those with symptoms of BPD should see a provider as soon as possible, as quality of life can quickly improve with treatment.
Impulsive Behavior
People with BPD sometimes struggle with impulsive behaviors, which is one of the defining symptoms of the disorder.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 These behaviors may also be categorized as risky and dangerous.
Common impulsive behaviors that people with BPD may engage in include gambling, excessive spending, binge eating, drug use or abuse, binge drinking, ending interpersonal relationships without warning or reason, quitting a job with no prior notice or plan, reckless driving and unsafe sex.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 These behaviors can occur at any point for those with BPD and not just during flare-ups.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
Instability in Relationships
Individuals with BPD often exhibit patterns of instability in their relationships.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 This may include friendships, romantic relationships and professional or familial connections.
This instability is generally marked by periods of idealization and extreme closeness, followed by cruel behavior. This disorder may also cause a person with BPD to accuse the other party of not caring enough or not acting in a way that is considered acceptable to continue the relationship.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
Mood Swings
Mood swings are common with many mental health disorders, including BPD. Shifts in mood may be intense and could last hours or sometimes even days.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
BPD mood swings typically include feelings of intense euphoria and excitement, as well as shame, anxiety, anger or irritability.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 Mood swings can contribute to the challenges that those with BPD have in maintaining stable relationships, as they may occur with little or no warning.
Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation is another symptom of BPD, especially in association with a fear of being rejected or separated from someone important to the individual.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
This may also manifest as self-harm for some.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 These thoughts may be recurrent and can result in threats or actions that make the person a danger to others or themselves.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder It's important to get help immediately for people with BPD who are experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts to harm others by calling 911 or a suicide hotline number.
Anger Management Issues
Individuals with BPD sometimes struggle with intense bouts of anger.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 They may lose their temper easily or frequently, and they may find themselves acting out in ways that seem sarcastic or even bitter to those around them.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
People with BPD who struggle with anger management may get into physical altercations more frequently, even in the face of obvious consequences.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 They may also display their anger at inappropriate times.
Intense Fear of Abandonment
Many individuals with BPD have an intense and abiding fear of abandonment.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder This symptom doesn't necessarily present itself in a rational way, as the individual may have this feeling whether the situation is real or imagined.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
As such, those with the disorder will go to great lengths to avoid feeling abandoned, including avoiding the cultivation of interpersonal relationships entirely or cutting someone off before they can be hurt.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
Distorted Self-Image
Another symptom of BPD is distorted self-image.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 The individual in question does not see themselves clearly because of their condition, as they have cultivated goals or attitudes that are not reflective of their true personality.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
They may develop a highly negative self-perception or see themselves as someone that doesn't exist or doesn't deserve to exist.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 People with BPD might also develop a very negative sense of self because of the condition.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
Trust Issues
Another symptom of BPD is the perpetuation of trust issues.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder Those with the condition may have an irrational fear of trusting other people and may question the other person's intentions when entering into any kind of relationship.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
This symptom may develop in conjunction with the individual's intense fear of abandonment and the negative self-image that sometimes accompanies this condition. All can have a negative impact on the interpersonal relationships for those with BPD.
Dissociation
Dissociation can sometimes occur in people with BPD. This symptom causes individuals to feel as though they're not operating in the same reality as everyone around them.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
They may feel separated from the world or sometimes feel as though they're seeing themselves from a vantage point outside of their own body.2‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ National Institute of Mental Health, December 2017, nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder This may cause individuals to feel out of touch and result in behavior that underscores this feeling.
Paranoia
Stress-related paranoia is another symptom of BPD, although it may be less obvious than some of the other symptoms of this condition.1‘Borderline Personality Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 July 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237 This paranoia might manifest in unusual behaviors from the individual, especially when paired with dissociation.
Stress-related paranoia caused by BPD may also compromise the individual's quality of life, as it may cause them to be hesitant about engaging with others or continuing with the activities of daily living.
