Borderline personality disorder

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an emotional disorder that causes emotional instability, leading to stress and other problems.

With borderline personality disorder your image of yourself is distorted, making you feel worthless and fundamentally flawed. Your anger, impulsivity and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you desire loving relationships.

If you have borderline personality disorder, don't get discouraged. Many people with borderline personality disorder get better with treatment and can live happy, peaceful lives.

References
  1. Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  2. Cluster B personality disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  3. Skodol AE, et al. Personality disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  4. Kernberg OF, et al. Borderline personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;166:5.
  5. Oldham JM. Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association, 2005. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  6. Silk KR. Personality disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  7. Hall-Flavin D (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 4, 2010.
DS00442 May 19, 2010

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