Diagnosis

~ Often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed

~ Mental health professional can detect BDP through a interview/discussion with patient about symptoms and a thorough medical exam

- Family medical history (history of any mental illnesses in family)

* Other mental illnesses may overlap

Ex: Depression

~ No single test to diagnose BDP

- Possible: Having patients show emotional reactions when looking at words with unpleasant meanings

Symptoms

- Extreme reactions to abandonment (real/perceived)

* Panic, rage, depression

- Intense & stormy relationships with family and friends (great love or great dislike)

- Distorted/unstable self image/view of self leading to quick changes in feelings, opinions, values or plans & goals for future

- Impulsive & dangerous behaviors (Ex: unsafe sex)

- Constant suicidal behaviors/self harm

- Intense/unstable moods

- Feelings of emptiness and boredom

- Problems with extreme anger

- Paranoid thoughts/dissociative symptoms

*May lose touch with reality

People with BDP may become angry or stressed over minor, mundane events