Borderline Personality Disorder
Article Sections
Introduction
Personality disorders cause rigidity of thinking (eg, perception of self, others, and situations), feeling (eg, emotional range and reactivity), and behaving (eg, ability to establish/maintain relationships, impulse control). Characteristics of personality disorders present by early adulthood and are generally stable across time and situations (eg, social, occupational, personal), causing significant functional impairment.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) involves a persistent pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and mood, as well as impulsivity. Patients are highly sensitive and reactive to environmental stress (eg, change in plans), rejection, and separation, which can result in self-injurious behavior and/or suicidality.
Epidemiology
The point prevalence of BPD is estimated to be 1%-2%. The rate of BPD does not differ significantly between male and female patients; however, the majority of patients in clinical settings are women. The onset of BPD typically occurs during adolescence and early adulthood.
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