Few diagnoses carry as much stigma as borderline personality disorder. People with BPD are often misunderstood, sometimes even by health professionals, and many are told, directly or indirectly, that they’re difficult or can’t change. That isn’t true. BPD is a real, treatable condition, and effective therapies exist. This guide explains BPD symptoms, the myths that surround it, how it overlaps with other conditions, and what borderline personality disorder treatment looks like.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition marked by a pattern of instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships, often with intense episodes of anger, depression, or anxiety that may last from hours to days. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people with BPD are more likely to self-harm and may also experience depression, PTSD, anxiety, substance use, or eating disorders.
BPD is not rare. NIMH statistics show that 9.1% of U.S. adults had any personality disorder in the past year, and 1.4% had borderline personality disorder. Sex and race weren’t associated with prevalence in that survey.
| Borderline personality disorder | Bipolar disorder | |
|---|---|---|
| Mood changes | Rapid shifts, often within hours, triggered by events | Distinct episodes lasting days to weeks |
| Core features | Unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions | Episodes of mania or hypomania and depression |
| Main treatment | Psychotherapy such as DBT | Mood stabilizers, often with therapy |
| Can they co-occur? | Yes | Yes |
Common BPD Symptoms, Including Emotional Instability
Common BPD symptoms include intense fear of abandonment, unstable and intense relationships, an unstable sense of self, impulsive behaviors, recurrent self-harm or suicidal behavior, rapid mood shifts, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and stress-related paranoia or dissociation. Not everyone has every symptom.
- Emotional instability: intense moods that shift quickly.
- Relationships: intense, unstable relationships and fear of abandonment.
- Identity: an unstable or shifting sense of who you are.
- Impulsivity: risky spending, substance use, driving, or other impulsive acts.
- Self-harm: self-injury or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 in the US, or go to the nearest emergency room.
BPD isn't a character flaw or a life sentence. It's a treatable condition, and many people get substantially better.
Common BPD Myths
Common BPD myths include the ideas that BPD can’t be treated, that people with it are manipulative by nature, and that it only affects women. The evidence doesn’t support these beliefs, and they can keep people from getting care.
- Myth: BPD is untreatable. Fact: NIMH notes that effective treatments help people manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
- Myth: BPD only affects women. Fact: In the NIMH-reported national survey, sex wasn’t associated with prevalence.
- Myth: It’s just bad behavior. Fact: BPD involves real difficulty regulating emotions, often linked to biology and life experiences.
- Myth: People with BPD don’t want help. Fact: Many seek care, and 42.4% reported mental health treatment in the past year.
Looking for respectful, effective care?
A careful evaluation can help. By telehealth across South Carolina and New York.
How BPD Overlaps With Other Conditions
BPD very often overlaps with other conditions: NIMH data show that 84.5% of adults with borderline personality disorder had at least one other mental disorder in the past year, including anxiety disorders (60.5%), impulse control disorders (49.0%), substance use disorders (38.2%), and mood disorders (34.3%).
Past-year co-occurring conditions among U.S. adults with borderline personality disorder.
That overlap matters for treatment, because BPD can be mistaken for bipolar disorder, depression, or PTSD, and treating only the co-occurring condition may leave core BPD symptoms unaddressed. Our guides to types of bipolar disorder and complex PTSD vs PTSD explain related diagnoses.
Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment and Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Borderline personality disorder treatment centers on psychotherapy, with dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, among the best-known approaches; it teaches skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, improving relationships, and staying present. Other evidence-based therapies are also used. Medication may help with co-occurring conditions or specific symptoms, but therapy is the core.
- Get a careful evaluation. Confirm the diagnosis and identify co-occurring conditions.
- Start skills-based therapy. Begin DBT or another evidence-based therapy for BPD.
- Build a safety plan. Create a plan for managing crises and urges to self-harm.
- Treat co-occurring conditions. Address depression, anxiety, or substance use alongside BPD.
- Practice skills daily. Use emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills between sessions.
Many people with BPD get treatment, but not all. NIMH data show that 42.4% of adults with BPD received mental health services in the past year. Our overview of psychiatrists vs therapists explains how care is often shared.
Share receiving mental health treatment in the past 12 months.
Intense emotions and a painful label
Shifting moods, unstable relationships, and feeling misunderstood, sometimes even by clinicians.
A respectful, careful evaluation
A clear diagnosis, attention to co-occurring conditions, and a path to skills-based therapy.
Real, lasting improvement
Skills for managing emotions and relationships, and a life that feels more stable.
Dr. Gabriella Farkas, MD PhD
Board-certified adult psychiatrist with a PhD in neuroscience. Dr. Farkas approaches BPD with respect, careful diagnosis, and coordination with skills-based therapists.
About Dr. Farkas →When to Get Help
Get help if intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, or self-harm are affecting your life, or if you’ve been told you have BPD and want a clearer understanding or a second look at the diagnosis. You deserve care that treats you with respect.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can clarify the diagnosis, identify co-occurring conditions, and connect you with skills-based therapy. Our guide to psychiatric second opinions explains when an independent evaluation helps. In a crisis, call or text 988 in the US, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Key Terms
- Borderline personality disorder
- A condition marked by instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- A skills-based therapy teaching emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationship skills.
- Emotion regulation
- The ability to manage the intensity and duration of emotions.
- Dissociation
- Feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings, often under stress.
Common Questions About BPD
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition marked by instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships, with intense emotions that can shift quickly and impulsive behavior. It affects about 1.4% of U.S. adults in a given year. It's often misunderstood. It's treatable. Many people improve substantially. A respectful clinician makes a difference.
What is the most effective borderline personality disorder treatment?
Psychotherapy is the core borderline personality disorder treatment, with dialectical behavior therapy among the best-known approaches, teaching skills for managing emotions, distress, and relationships. Other evidence-based therapies are used too. Medication may help co-occurring conditions. Treatment takes commitment. Many people get much better. A respectful clinician makes a difference. Crisis support is always available at 988.
Can BPD be cured?
Many people with BPD improve substantially with treatment, learning skills that reduce symptoms and strengthen relationships, and NIMH notes that effective treatments improve daily functioning. Recovery is a process. Setbacks can happen. Skills build over time. Hope is realistic. A respectful clinician makes a difference. Crisis support is always available at 988.
Is BPD the same as bipolar disorder?
No, BPD and bipolar disorder are different: BPD involves rapid emotional shifts tied to events and unstable relationships and self-image, while bipolar disorder involves distinct mood episodes lasting days to weeks. They can be confused. They can co-occur. Treatments differ. A careful evaluation matters. A respectful clinician makes a difference.
Does BPD only affect women?
No, BPD doesn't only affect women; in the national survey reported by NIMH, sex wasn't associated with the prevalence of personality disorders. Women may be diagnosed more often in clinical settings. Men can be overlooked. Anyone can have BPD. Treatment helps everyone. A respectful clinician makes a difference. Crisis support is always available at 988.
What conditions often occur with BPD?
Conditions that often occur with BPD include anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, substance use disorders, and mood disorders; NIMH data show 84.5% of adults with BPD had at least one other disorder. Overlap is common. It affects treatment. Each condition needs attention. An evaluation can sort it out. A respectful clinician makes a difference.
Can I get help for BPD by telehealth?
Yes, Dr. Farkas evaluates BPD and co-occurring conditions by secure telehealth for adults in South Carolina and New York and coordinates with therapists who provide DBT and related therapies. You'll need a private space. A device with a camera works well. Crisis plans are part of care. Follow-ups use the same platform.
BPD is treatable, and you deserve respect.
Careful diagnosis and effective, skills-based care.
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Personality Disorders.” NIMH Statistics, National Comorbidity Survey Replication data. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/personality-disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Borderline Personality Disorder.” NIMH Health Topics. https://nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Borderline Personality Disorder fact sheet: prevalence and treatment use.” NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/statistics/prevalence/file_30.pdf
Educational content only. This article does not constitute medical advice and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified clinician familiar with your circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026.