grace367 asked this question on 5/12/2000:
What are some of the signs of a borderline personality?
izzybelle gave this response on 5/12/2000:
The DSMIV (the 'bible' that clinicians use in diagnosing a patient) states that to have a Borderline Diagnosis you must meet this criteria:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: 1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5
2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation. 3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. chronic feelings of emptiness
8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
There is a lot more regarding Borderline Persomailty Disorder. If you would like to know more here are some informative web sites:
http://www.mhsanctuary.com/borderline/ http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.borderline.html
and for those who are parents of a BPD child, or a significat other of one, here is a great support site:
http://www.bpdcentral.com/
Hope this has helped. Let me know if you need further clarification of this.
The average rating for this answer is 5.
grace367 rated this answer a 5.