The Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Diagnosing borderline personality disorder (BDP) is complex, even trained mental health professionals may have difficulty with the diagnosis because the symptoms of BDP can vary dramatically between people. A range of BDP symptoms exist and are grouped into nine categories. To be diagnosed with BDP you must exhibit frequently at least five of these nine symptoms:

• Intense worries about abandonment and strong efforts to avoid it

• Unpredictable, rocky relationships

• Uncertainty about self-identity

• Reckless, risky behaviors

• Self-harming behaviors

• Highly volatile emotions

• Profound feelings of hollowness or emptiness

• Easily provoked rage

• Short-term flights from reality