Psychological Disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder
American
Description
A. A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships,
self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early
adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five
(or more) of the following:
1.
frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not
include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion
5.
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).
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered
in Criterion 5.
5.
recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating
behavior
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
European
Description
A personality disorder in which there is a marked tendency to act
impulsively without consideration of the consequences, together with
affective instability. The ability to plan ahead may be minimal, and
outbursts of intense anger may often lead to violence or "behavioural
explosions"; these are easily precipitated when impulsive acts
are criticized or thwarted by others. Two variants of this personality
disorder are specified, and both share this general theme of impulsiveness
and lack of self-control.
Impulsive
type:
The predominant characteristics are emotional instability and lack
of impulse control. Outbursts of violence or threatening behaviour
are common, particularly in response to criticism by others.
Includes:
* explosive and aggressive personality (disorder)
Excludes:
* dissocial personality disorder
Borderline
type:
Several of the characteristics of emotional instability are present;
in addition, the patient's own self-image, aims, and internal preferences
(including sexual) are often unclear or disturbed. There are usually
chronic feelings of emptiness. A liability to become involved in intense
and unstable relationships may cause repeated emotional crises and
may be associated with excessive efforts to avoid abandonment and
a series of suicidal threats or acts of self-harm (although these
may occur without obvious precipitants).
Includes:
* borderline personality (disorder)