5 Warning Signs That You Have Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition characterized by a pattern of varying emotions, relationships and behavior. This psychological condition begins during adolescence and can persist for many years. When left untreated, it can cause a great deal of distress. But thankfully, the condition is totally treatable.

Are you wondering if you might have BPD? Continue reading to find out.

1. Unstable self-image

A distorted and unstable sense of oneself is a typical sign of BPD. People with BPD have reported several ups and downs in the way they feel about themselves. One moment they might feel great about themselves but the very next moment they might feel terrible.

2. Fear of being abandoned

Individuals with BPD have difficulties in maintaining relationships. They usually have intense relationships with their family, friends and loved ones. They go through a lot of arguments, conflicts and break-ups. They also have a strong sensitivity to abandonment, which might make them develop a fear of being abandoned by their loved ones. This can also make it difficult for them to trust anyone. Efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment have also been noted.

3. Impulsive and self-destructive behaviors

Individuals with BPD always exhibit risky and impulsive behaviors like substance or alcohol abuse, binge eating, going on shopping sprees, engaging in risky sex, and reckless driving. They also appear short-tempered and might struggle with intense anger. They find it hard to control such emotions and end up yelling, throwing things or getting into a rage.

4. Self-harming behaviors

People with BPD tend to engage in self-destructing behaviors such as cutting or burning themselves, or even attempting suicide. Fear of separation or rejection can cause such self-harming behaviors in them. Suicidal behavior in them includes thinking about suicide, making suicide threats and actually attempting it.

5. Chronic feelings of emptiness

People with BPD often feel empty in their chests. They describe it as a hole or a void inside them and in extreme cases, they might even feel like they are worthless. Such feelings of emptiness might be usually related to boredom. Even though they try to fill the void with things like food, drugs, alcohol or sex, nothing could satisfy them truly.