Borderline personality disorder

In Europe borderline personality disorder is known as emotionally unstable personality disorder – Borderline type. I don’t know if the name matters too much, as the confusion is still there about what you have actually been diagnosed with.

To fit into the criteria for having a personality disorder you must have 5 of the following 9 symptoms. These must have affected you for a long time and there must not be any other medical explanation.

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

4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating)

5. Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour

6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, 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 (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)

9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms


Should you have this illness, you will know, as the pain is intense and your life is chaotic. You will be confused about the decisions you make or may even lack the ability to make them. One moment you will feel as if you have made the right decision the next you will be sure it was completely wrong.

In your relationships you will be unsure what is your fault or issue and will either completely deny or take all responsibility for problems.

You may be using drugs, alcohol or self-harm as ways of coping with your emotions but you will be sick of feeling as if you have to do this to yourself.

You may be thinking suicide is your only way out and your mental health services can only criticize your efforts of seeking help as attention seeking or another attempt of you trying to manipulate them.

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