Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects the way someone thinks and feels about themselves and others. People with BPD experience intense emotions and often struggle with relationships. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to impulsive behavior, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes personality disorders, but they are believed to may be a result of inherited genes and/or childhood experiences such as invalidation, abuse, or neglect. People with BPD may experience a wide range of symptoms, which can be very distressing and overwhelming.
Here are some common experiences associated with BPD:
Intense and unstable emotions
People with BPD often experience intense emotions that can shift rapidly, such as feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness and emptiness. These emotions can be triggered by seemingly minor events and may be difficult to control.
Impulsivity
Folks with BPD may engage in impulsive behaviors in order to manage intense emotions or feelings of emptiness, such as reckless driving, excessive substance use, binge eating or unsafe sex.
Fear of abandonment
People with BPD often have a deep fear of being abandoned or rejected by others. This fear may lead them to cling to others, act out in response to perceived abandonment, or struggle with relationships.
Unstable sense of self
Folks with BPD may have an unstable sense of self, which can lead to identity confusion or difficulty knowing what they want or value. They may also struggle with self-esteem and self-worth.
Interpersonal difficulties
Maintaining stable, healthy relationships can be difficult for those with BPD. They may have intense and volatile relationships or isolate themselves to avoid rejection or abandonment.
Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
People with BPD may experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm behaviors as a way to cope with intense emotions or feelings of emptiness.