4 Common Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

During difficult moments in our lives, some of us may resort to the internet to soothe our anxieties - by checking if our experiences match an existing disorder. If you may be here to do so, it is important to remember that “self-diagnosis” could worsen your symptoms of BPD, especially when it comes to a Personality Disorder. 

If you are concerned that you may have Borderline Personality Disorder, we advise you to reach out to a mental health professional instead. Click here for a list of trusted psychologists and psychiatrists experienced in treating severe mental health disorders like BPD.

Also read: The Role of Therapy in Managing Personality Disorders

What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

Borderline Personality Disorder, commonly known as BPD, is a Cluster-B Personality Disorder that can give rise to behaviour which others may perceive as “extreme” or irrational. On the inside, those coping with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) have trouble processing or controlling their emotions. Issues with self-image, shifting moods and behavioural challenges are some of the difficulties that are typically associated with BPD.

Symptoms of BPD

Personality disorders usually manifest in adolescence and continue through adulthood, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. So every individual’s lived experience with BPD is always slightly different. Yet, there are a combination of symptoms that are commonly present across the spectrum.

Most symptoms of BPD fall under the following groups:

Disrupted thinking-patterns

Those with BPD often experience something known as “cognitive distortions”, which are unhelpful patterns of thinking. For example, you may see yourself or your unique situation as “all good” or “all bad” - called Splitting. This “all or nothing” pattern could be extremely dangerous if left unaddressed, as it could quickly spiral into self-deprecating thoughts and even self-harm. 

Also read: 5 Therapist Recommended Techniques to Deal With Intrusive Thoughts

Other such thinking patterns include the irrational fear of what people may be thinking about you, a habit of taking risky decisions without much deliberation, or the tendency to distrust people (even loved ones) without reasonable cause.

If you may be experiencing any such thoughts, being in therapy can equip you with skills that could transform your life and be your anchor through your journey to recovery.

Low impulse-control

We have all made impulsive decisions at a certain time in our lives or felt the impulse to do something without thinking over it. Does this reflect low impulse-control? Not unless medically diagnosed. 

As a severe symptom, low impulse-control could take the shape of extreme impulsive behaviours that have a negative impact on one’s relationships, financial stability or physical health. For example - excessive impatience, spending sprees, binge-eating or binge-drinking, unsafe sexual encounters, etc.

Also read: How Does Anxiety Affect Your Physical Health?

Difficulty controlling one’s impulsivity could affect every area of your life, particularly your relationships and emotional well-being.

Emotional dysregulation

When coping with BPD, you may face sudden emotional outbursts, rapid shifts in mood and intense feelings that can be overwhelming for anyone. You could find yourself feeling “emotionless” or “empty”, having trouble making decisions, being unable to “read the room” or picking up underlying emotions.

This is known as Affective Dysregulation or Emotional Dysregulation - difficulty recognising, understanding or responding to emotions.

For someone with BPD, emotional disturbances are often a result of an unstable and distorted self-image, which could even make you feel dissociated from your body from time to time, or even from your relationships.

Also read: 5 Common Signs of Low Self-Esteem Caused by Depression

Intense, unstable relationships

Symptoms of BPD often result in severe instability within interpersonal relationships. This instability is rooted in the fear of being abandoned, supported by several studies which have linked BPD to childhood trauma.

You may make sub-conscious efforts to avoid abandonment - perhaps by prematurely rushing into relationships or going to extreme measures to save your relationship, even if things are going south. This fear also often manifests itself through idealisation or extreme infatuation.

The mood changes, unhelpful thinking patterns and difficulty understanding one’s emotions can make relationships difficult and intense for both people and is common for all types of relationships (not just romantic ones).

Also read: What Is Trauma Bonding?

If you have BPD, you might experience all, most, or only a few of the symptoms. Some of the symptoms may also be triggered by specific individuals or events. 

If severe, symptoms of BPD run a high risk of impacting your quality of life on a daily basis. It is also common for those with BPD to have been misdiagnosed with Depression or Anxiety. 

Also read: How Do I Talk To Someone About My Depression Or Anxiety?

So if you think you may be coping with similar challenges, it is critical to consult a mental health professional - therapist or psychiatrist. This may seem tough, but remember: we are here for you every step of the way.

Sources:

World Health Organization. (2019). 6D11.5 Borderline pattern. In International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f2006821354 

Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The Role of Trauma in Early Onset Borderline Personality Disorder: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 721361. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.721361

Mak AD, Lam LC. Neurocognitive profiles of people with borderline personality disorder. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2013 Jan;26(1):90-6. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32835b57a9. PMID: 23196999.