Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are diagnosed based on a: Detailed interview with your doctor or mental health provider. Psychological evaluation that may include completing questionnaires. Medical history and exam.
An experienced mental health professional can help determine whether your symptoms indicate BPD or another mood disorder. Most importantly, they can recommend treatment that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Mental health providers can be reluctant to diagnose BPD and other personality disorders due to diagnosis criteria, insurance, and stigma. Not diagnosing BPD, where appropriate, can adversely affect treatment. Traits of BPD can be communicated without formally diagnosing the full personality disorder.
“Signs and symptoms of BPD include severe difficulty regulating one's emotions, often leading to anger outbursts, unstable relationship patterns, suicidality, episodes of self-harm, chronic feelings of emptiness, unstable sense of self, and mood swings,” said Elle Michel, a therapist and MyWellbeing community member.
Many individuals seeking treatment for symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) find that many therapists are reluctant to treat this condition. This only adds to the suffering of those seeking help and increases their sense of hopelessness and futility.
How are personality disorders treated? Personality disorders are some of the most difficult disorders to treat in psychiatry. This is mainly because people with personality disorders don't think their behavior is problematic, so they don't often seek treatment.
Of the ten personality disorders described in the DSM-5, the four in Cluster B: Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic, have been the ones considered to be the most difficult to treat.
See your GP if you're concerned that you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). They may ask about your symptoms and how they're affecting your quality of life.
Approach them very gently when they are in a stable mood. Don't specifically mention BPD if you can help it—just tell them their behavior is worrisome to you because you love them and want them to be happy. Offer your support every step of the way.
Many people who live with borderline personality disorder don't know they have it and may not realize there's a healthier way to behave and relate to others.
For example, it's your right to ask your therapist to tell you if they believe you have a mental health condition. If you want a diagnosis, you can ask your therapist upfront. The same applies if you don't want to hear about this information.
Many individuals seeking treatment for symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) find that many therapists are reluctant to treat this condition. This only adds to the suffering of those seeking help and increases their sense of hopelessness and futility.
You May Be Wrong
Anytime you try and self-diagnose your symptoms, you run the risk of getting it wrong. That puts you at further risk for seeking treatment for the wrong diagnosis, or attempting self-help remedies that aren't appropriate. When it comes to Borderline Personality Disorder, you don't want to be wrong.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms of this disorder overlap with many other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders.
Brandon Marshall
Marshall is officially one of only several famous people with borderline personality disorder who has been diagnosed and publicly opened up about his illness. In fact, he has been very outspoken it and helped to spread awareness about mental illness.
Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are diagnosed based on a: Detailed interview with your doctor or mental health provider. Psychological evaluation that may include completing questionnaires. Medical history and exam.
If you have quiet BPD, you may have low self-esteem and often feel angry, depressed, or anxious. In addition, you may have a history of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or both. With quiet BPD, you may also feel guilt or shame.
Give Specific Information About the Disorder
A pattern of unstable and intense relationships, often marked by alternating between idealization and devaluation. An unstable self-image or sense of self. Impulsivity in activities that are potentially self-damaging (like reckless driving or binge eating)
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
Psychologists have identified three traits that make up the sinister-sounding "Dark Triad": narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy.
MD. Commonly referred to as borderline rage, an inability to control intense bouts of anger and extreme, often unwarranted anger is a feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most damaging mental illnesses. By itself, this severe mental illness accounts for up to 10 percent of patients in psychiatric care and 20 percent of those who have to be hospitalized.
Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.
Sometimes anxiety disorders can cause fear so intense it totally disables its victims. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses, and they are also the most treatable.
If you have any signs or symptoms of a personality disorder, see your doctor or other primary care professional or a mental health professional. Untreated, personality disorders can cause significant problems in your life that may get worse without treatment.