"The defining criteria of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
is a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity that
begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts, "
as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
characterized by alternating between extremes of
idealization and devaluation
.
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable
self-image
or sense of self; or sense of long-term goals;
or career choices,
types of friends desired or values preferred.
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially
self-damaging:
for example; spending, sex, substance abuse, and binge eating.
5. Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or
self-mutilating behaviour.
6. Affective instability: marked shifts from baseline mood to
depression,
irritability, or anxiety, usually lasting
a few hours
and only rarely more than a few days.
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness.
8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty
controlling anger; frequent displays of temper.
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or
severe dissociative symptoms.
