What is Borderline Personality Disorder? Causes, Symptoms, and More

Individuals with BPD often struggle with forming and maintaining stable relationships. There may be a pattern of idealising others one moment and devaluing them the next. Fear of abandonment is a common theme, leading to efforts to avoid real or imagined neglect.

Example: Sarah becomes deeply attached to a new friend, praising them as the best person she’s ever met. However, a minor disagreement triggers a sudden and intense shift, and she starts avoiding the friend, convinced they are going to abandon her.

Emotional dysregulation is a key symptom of BPD. Individuals may experience intense and rapidly shifting emotions, such as anger, anxiety, and sadness. These mood swings are often triggered by external events that might lead to Impulsive actions in various areas of life, such as spending, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating, or self-harm. These behaviours are often attempts to cope with intense emotions.

Example: John experiences a joyful and optimistic mood in the morning but, by the afternoon, he feels overwhelmed with sadness and hopelessness without any apparent reason for the shift.

Those suffering from BPD may have an unstable and distorted self-image. Their own perception could be often susceptible to external influences, making it challenging to uphold a consistent and authentic identity. Sometimes this feeling comes in pairs with a persistent sense of emptiness and struggle to find a sense of purpose or fulfilment. 

Example: Edward, despite receiving praise for his work, sees himself as a failure and constantly compares himself to others, leading to feelings of worthlessness.