Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by instability in self-image, relationships, and emotions.BPD is estimated to be the third most prevalent personality disorder, affecting about 1.6% of the global population1.
Up to 20% of inpatient psychiatric patients have BPD, suggesting that people with BPD are more likely to require intensive mental health care2.BPD is one of 10 personality disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Along with histrionic, antisocial, and narcissistic personality disorders, BPD is a Cluster B disorder, which causes affected individuals to appear erratic, emotional, or dramatic.Though symptoms may manifest in different ways, people with BPD experience at least five of the following:[Self-Test: Borderline Personality Disorder]Though symptoms are used to diagnose BPD, the following associated features may help clinicians support a diagnosis.
These can include:While research is still ongoing into causes of BPD, there are factors that have been correlated with an increased risk, including:ADHD commonly co-occurs with BPD, with 10% to 27% of people with ADHD meeting criteria for a BPD diagnosis5.