What is a borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder causing problems functioning in everyday life.
It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships.
If you have borderline personality disorder, don't get discouraged. Many people with this disorder get better over time with treatment and can learn to live satisfying lives.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms may include:
An intense fear of abandonment
A pattern of unstable intense relationships, such as idealizing someone one moment and then suddenly believing the person doesn't care enough or is cruel
Rapid changes in self-identity and self-image
Impulsive and risky behavior, such as gambling, reckless driving, unsafe sex, spending sprees, binge eating or drug abuse, or sabotaging success by suddenly quitting a good job or ending a positive relationship
Wide mood swings lasting from a few hours to a few days, which can include intense happiness, irritability, shame or anxiety
Causes
As with other mental health disorders, the causes of borderline personality disorder aren't fully understood. In addition to environmental factors — such as a history of child abuse or neglect — borderline personality disorder may be linked to genetic and brain abnormalities.
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