Symptom criteria for borderline personality disorder

The symptom criteria for borderline personality disorder mainly include emotional instability, tense interpersonal relationships, confused self-identity, impulsive behavior, and fear of abandonment. Borderline personality disorder is a complex mental illness characterized by emotional regulation disorders, self-image disorders, and interpersonal relationship problems. Patients often experience strong emotional fluctuations and impulsive behavior, which may have a serious impact on daily life and social functioning.

1. Emotional instability

Borderline personality disorder patients often exhibit extreme and rapidly changing emotional states, which may quickly transition from extreme pleasure to deep depression or anger. This emotional fluctuation is usually triggered by small external stimuli and has a short duration but high intensity. Patients may experience self harm or suicidal tendencies due to their inability to effectively regulate their emotions, and some may resort to extreme behaviors to alleviate their inner pain.

2. Interpersonal Relationship Tension

Patients' interpersonal relationship patterns exhibit alternating characteristics of idealization and belittling, which may lead to over idealization of others and immediately turn them into complete negation due to minor disappointment. This unstable interpersonal interaction often leads to the breakdown of intimate relationships, causing patients to both crave intimacy and fear being hurt, forming a contradictory psychology. Some people may maintain relationships through manipulative or threatening behavior, further exacerbating social difficulties.

3. Self identification confusion

Borderline personality disorder patients generally have persistent and significant self-awareness disorders, manifested as uncertainty in goals, values, career choices, and other aspects. Self image may oscillate between extreme positive and negative evaluations, lacking a stable sense of identity. This chaos may lead to frequent changes in jobs, friends, or life goals, affecting long-term development plans.

4. Impulsive Behavior

Patients often exhibit impulsive behavior in at least two areas, including substance abuse, overeating, dangerous driving, overconsumption, or self harm. These behaviors often occur during intense emotional fluctuations, aimed at alleviating inner pain but often resulting in negative consequences. Impulsive behavior may be accompanied by brief pleasure, followed by deeper feelings of shame or guilt, forming a vicious cycle.

5. Fear of being abandoned

shows excessive sensitivity and strong fear of being abandoned in reality or imagination, and may resort to extreme measures to avoid separation. Patients often misunderstand brief daily separation as permanent abandonment, leading to strong anxiety or anger reactions. This fear may stem from early attachment trauma, leading to an exceptionally strong need for interpersonal security in adulthood. The diagnosis of borderline personality disorder requires a comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist, with symptoms lasting for a long time and severely affecting social functioning. It is recommended that patients maintain a regular daily routine, avoid psychoactive substances such as alcohol, and establish a stable social support system. psychological therapy is the main intervention method, and dialectical behavioral therapy and psychological basic therapy have significant effects on improving symptoms. Family members should learn about the disease, avoid being overly involved in the patient's emotional fluctuations, and pay attention to protecting their own mental health. Early identification and systematic treatment can help improve prognosis, and some patients may gradually alleviate symptoms with age.