You cannot self-diagnose borderline personality disorder (BPD); only a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, can provide an accurate diagnosis through a comprehensive evaluation.
Key Symptoms
BPD involves at least five persistent symptoms from DSM-5 criteria, including intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships alternating between idealization and devaluation, identity disturbance, impulsivity in areas like spending or substance use, recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm, affective instability with marked mood swings, chronic emptiness, intense anger, and transient paranoia or dissociation under stress.
Diagnosis Process
Diagnosis requires a detailed clinical interview, symptom assessment, medical history review, and ruling out other conditions like bipolar disorder or PTSD, often including questionnaires and input from family. A physical exam or tests may exclude medical causes.
Next Steps
If these symptoms resonate and disrupt your life, consult a primary care doctor for referral to a mental health specialist or community mental health team. Online self-assessments exist but serve only as screening tools, not substitutes for professional evaluation. Early intervention through therapy like dialectical behavior therapy can improve outcomes.
