Borderline personality disorder 

Introduction 

Mental and emotional health: talking therapies

Learn about different talking therapies that can help people overcome a range of problems, from depression to stress. Tip: check with your GP whether there are any IAPT services (Improving Access to Psychological Treatment) in your area.

Associated mental health problems

Many people with borderline personality disorder also have another mental health or behavioural condition such as:

Personality disorders are conditions that can cause a range of distressing symptoms and patterns of abnormal behaviour.

This could include:

  • overwhelming feelings of distress, anxiety, worthlessness or anger
  • difficulty managing such feelings without self-harming, for example by abusing drugs and alcohol or taking overdoses
  • difficulty maintaining stable and close relationships
  • sometimes, periods of loss of contact with reality
  • in some cases, threats of harm to others

Read more about the symptoms of borderline personality disorder.

Personality disorders typically emerge in adolescence and persist into adulthood. They may be associated with genetic and family factors, and experiences of distress or fear during childhood, such as neglect or abuse, are common. Personality disorders range from mild to severe.

What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

It used to be thought people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) were at the ‘border’ between:

  • neurosis, where a person is mentally distressed but can still tell the difference between their perception and reality
  • psychosis, where a person is unable to tell the difference between their perception and reality, and may experience delusions and hallucinations 

Now it is known this is not an accurate description. BPD is best understood as a disorder of mood and interpersonal function (how a person interacts with others).

BPD is a common personality disorder seen by healthcare professionals. Although BPD is said to be more common in women, this is probably because it is recognised less frequently in men, who may be less likely to seek treatment.

Read more about how borderline personality disorder is diagnosed.

How does BPD develop?

The causes of BPD are unclear. However, as with most conditions, BPD appears to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Traumatic events that occur during childhood are associated with developing BPD. An estimated eight out of 10 people with BPD experience parental neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse during their childhood.

Read more about the causes of borderline personality disorder.

Outlook

BPD can be a serious condition and many people with the condition self-harm and attempt suicide. It is estimated that 60-70% of people with BPD will attempt suicide at some point in their life.

However, for many with BPD, the outlook is reasonably good over time, and psychological or medical treatment may help.

Treatment may involve a range of individual and group psychological therapies (psychotherapy) carried out by trained professionals working with a community mental health team (CMHT). Effective treatment may last more than one year.

Read more about treatments for borderline personality disorder.

Recent studies have suggested the majority of those with borderline personality disorder do well over time, with most experiencing sustained relief from symptoms, and around half being completely free of symptoms and able to function well in life.

Additional treatment is recommended for people whose symptoms return.

Last reviewed: 02/08/2012

Next review due: 02/08/2014

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7 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

mustang19 said on 30 December 2012

I've suffered depression and an eating disorder in the past and I really think I have BPD. Reading through the symptoms and causes is like reading a description of me/my life. I don't really know what to do about it. Do I go and see my GP? I'm really anxious about it.

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paulus725 said on 06 September 2012

After many years of depression, suicide attempts and spells on mental health wards. Having been pumped full of almost every anti depressant on the market, I've now been diagnosed as having Dysthmia and Borderline Personality Traits. I've been placed on yet another antidepressant (Mirtazapine) and that seems to be where the story ends. I've not had a single antidep that has ever had any effect in the slightest. Whilst the new one makes me slep thats about all. Nobody seems to be refering me towards any other treatment. Is this as far as it goes for people like me. They tell me what I've got and leave it at that?

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Itsalottery said on 23 April 2012

Monster don't feel discouraged by your new GP. It's so sad but I've learned over the years that finding a GP that has even a remote understanding of BPD or helping someone with BPD is very rare. What he/she has told you is not only very unhelpful but it's also incorrect. BPD is real and widely recognised internationally. I think that GPs can do a lot of harm when they don't manage patients with any kind of mental illness effectively and sensitively. To be fair, I've even met with psychiatrists and psychologists who are pretty awful at dealing with BPD patients. Don't despair though, I've also found a couple great GPs and psychiatrist/psychologists that really know their stuff and how to help. I'd suggest asking to move to another GP who is better equipped and more knowledgable to help you with your mental health. The wrong GP can really add to your negative feelings so it's worth asking to change.

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the monster under your bed said on 19 April 2012

I've just been to a new GP and he asked me some questions about my medical conditions as he doesn't have my notes yet. I told him I've been diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder and he told me that borderline personality disorder is not a psychiatric diagnosis, and that it is just a category that people get put in when they don't fit any other diagnoses. Is he right? I'm really confused.

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andynoproblem said on 16 June 2011

I've had problems for most of my life with social and general anxiety, and also depression. Been reading a little about BPD recently but find the term Complex Post Traumatic Stress more helpful - there's a lot in a name, and for some reason I find CPTSD a less threatening term than BPD. It kind of reassures that the problems are 'not my fault', but are more of a product of environment than genes. There seems to be a run of this problem in my family going back four generations. While there may be a genetic suscepitibility to fear & anger, there also seems to be a chain of trauma being passed from each generation to the next. Lots of reading to do, but interested in the response of other sufferers. I found the film 'Good Will Hunting' particularly useful in unlocking the causes of my pain. I also find gardening helps with anger/fear/pain management. Cannabis is obviously illegal and mental health professionals are not allowed to recommend it. Take care of yourselves, and try not to be too hard on your loved ones and others - it's not their fault either.

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SKF1 said on 25 May 2011

Which 2010 study?

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My feeling said on 04 May 2011

Would people in the community, Mental health be more caring and stop letting me down, putting the matters with the police, i just want to get better and start a new happy life, so dont push me away,, because thats not the answer............

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