borderline personality disorder

[ bawr-der-lahyn pur-suh-nal-i-tee dis-awr-der ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. a personality disorder characterized by instability in many areas, as mood, identity, self-image, and behavior, and often manifested by impulsive actions, suicide attempts, inappropriate anger, or depression. : BPD

borderline personality disorder

noun

1. psychiatry a mental condition on the dividing line between a psychiatric disorder and normality characterized by impulsiveness, extreme mood swings, and often aggressiveness

Word History and Origins

Origin of borderline personality disorder¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

“If you’re practicing mental health treatment from a psychopharmacologic perspective, under the FDA, there’s no pill for borderline personality disorder.”

From Slate

The first line of treatment for borderline personality disorder is dialectical behavioral therapy, a talk therapy centered on examining and countering negative emotions.

From Slate

There is particular risk that signs of borderline personality disorder will be lost in the rush toward a bipolar diagnosis.

From Slate

People with borderline personality disorder have a pattern of intense, unstable relationships, often stemming from a fear of abandonment.

From Slate

With an estimated prevalence of 1.5 percent of the population, borderline personality disorder is not rare.

From Slate