Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions. The symptoms of BPD can vary widely among individuals, but they typically include the following:

1. Fear of Abandonment: Individuals with BPD often have an intense fear of abandonment, real or perceived. They may go to great lengths to avoid actual or imagined abandonment, which can strain relationships.
2. Unstable Relationships: A pattern of unstable and intense relationships characterized by extremes of idealization and devaluation. Individuals with BPD may quickly shift between seeing others as all-good or all-bad.
3. Unstable Self-Image: A distorted and unstable self-image, identity, or sense of self. Individuals with BPD may have difficulty defining who they are, leading to a sense of emptiness or confusion about their identity.
4. Impulsivity: Impulsive behaviors in areas that are potentially self-damaging, such as reckless driving, substance abuse, binge eating, or unsafe sex. These behaviors are often attempts to alleviate emotional pain.
5. Self-Harm or Suicidal Behavior: Recurrent self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or burning, or threats of self-harm. Individuals with BPD may engage in impulsive and risky behaviors as a way to cope with emotional distress.
6. Emotional Instability: Intense and rapidly changing emotions that are difficult to regulate. Mood swings can be triggered by external events or perceived rejections and may last for a few hours to a few days.
7. Chronic Feelings of Emptiness: A chronic sense of emptiness and a lack of a stable self, leading individuals to seek constant stimulation and change to fill the void.
8. Explosive Anger: Difficulty controlling anger, leading to frequent displays of temper, physical fights, or verbal outbursts. The intensity of anger may be disproportionate to the situation.
9. Paranoid Thoughts: Transient paranoid thoughts or severe dissociation in response to stress, including feelings of being disconnected from oneself or reality.
10. Difficulty Trusting Others: Persistent difficulty trusting others, even when there is no evidence of betrayal. This can contribute to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.

It’s important to note that individuals with BPD may experience these symptoms to varying degrees, and the presentation of symptoms can change over time. A comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and the development of an appropriate treatment plan, which may include psychotherapy, medication, and support from mental health providers. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of BPD, seeking professional help is crucial.

Copyright © Linda C J Turner 2023