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What Is BPD? Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and Its Symptoms

  • Writer: Mary Mikhail
    Mary Mikhail
  • Sep 17
  • 2 min read
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood, but it’s a very real and challenging mental health condition that impacts the way people think, feel, and relate to others. If you or someone you care about has been struggling with intense emotions, unstable relationships, or a fragile sense of self, you may have come across the term BPD while searching for answers.


This blog will break down what BPD is, the most common symptoms, and why getting support matters.


What Is BPD?


BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) is a mental health condition that affects how a person experiences themselves and others. People with BPD often feel emotions more intensely than others and may find it hard to manage those emotions in healthy ways.

Living with BPD doesn’t mean someone is “broken” or “too much.” Instead, it reflects deep struggles often rooted in past trauma, attachment wounds, or overwhelming life experiences. With the right treatment and support, people with BPD can learn effective coping skills and build more stable, fulfilling lives.


Symptoms of BPD


While every individual’s experience is unique, the following are common symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):


  1. Intense fear of abandonmentEven small changes in relationships can feel overwhelming, leading to panic, anxiety, or desperate attempts to keep someone from leaving.

  2. Unstable or intense relationshipsRelationships may feel like a rollercoaster, shifting between extreme closeness and sudden conflict or disconnection.

  3. Unclear or shifting sense of selfPeople with BPD often struggle with identity, self-worth, or feeling like they don’t know who they truly are.

  4. Impulsive or risky behaviorsThis can include overspending, substance use, reckless driving, or unsafe sexual behavior as a way of coping with intense emotions.

  5. Extreme emotional swingsMoods can change quickly — from deep sadness to anger to emptiness — sometimes within hours.

  6. Chronic feelings of emptinessA persistent sense of being “numb” or disconnected is common for many people with BPD.

  7. Intense or inappropriate angerSmall frustrations can feel unbearable, leading to outbursts or simmering resentment.

  8. Stress-related paranoia or dissociationUnder high stress, people with BPD may feel disconnected from reality, like they’re “outside” their body or that the world isn’t real.


Why Understanding BPD Matters


If you or a loved one is living with BPD, it can sometimes feel isolating — but you’re not alone. Greater awareness of BPD helps reduce stigma and opens the door for more compassion, both toward yourself and others.


Evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-focused approaches have been shown to be very effective in supporting people with BPD. With therapy, individuals can learn tools for emotional regulation, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of self.


Final Thoughts


Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is complex, but it is also treatable. Recognizing the symptoms of BPD is the first step toward healing and change. With the right support, many people with BPD go on to create meaningful, stable, and fulfilling lives.

If you’re curious about whether therapy might help, I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can talk about your needs and how I can support you.


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