What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a diagnosis given to individuals who suffer from intense emotions and have difficulty managing them in healthy ways. They exhibit frantic efforts to avoid perceived abandonment and can have paranoid thoughts. Their sense of self is not well-developed and they are often chameleon-like, changing their behavior and/or appearance to fit different groups and situations. A chronic sense of emptiness and self-harm behaviors are typical. They may have a history of repeated suicide attempts. Their relationships are unstable and often chaotic and they have a tendency to idealize other only to devalue them at another time. They often express intense anger in inappropriate ways and have difficulty managing their anger. At the same time, individuals with BPD can be charming and compassionate and have many other positive qualities.

The term "borderline" refers to the way in which a person responds to the world around them. It describes the intense feelings that frequently consume them and is marked by the following features: 1. A fear of abandonment; 2. Intense and rapidly changing relationships with people; 3. A constantly shifting sense of self identity and self worth; 4. Lack of impulse control; 5. Self destructive behaviors; 6. Wild emotional swings; 7. Intense feelings of emptiness; 8. Strong waves of anger; 9. Feeling detached from their selves in stressful situations. People who live with borderline personalities suffer greatly. It is an incredibly painful way to be in the world. But there are solutions. It's also important to remember that a person is not "a borderline." This would be saying that a person who suffers from cancer is "a cancer." Not only is such a statement untrue, but it's also hurtful and demeaning to the person who suffers.