Individuals affected by borderline personality disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions, leading to severe mood swings, instability, impulsivity and poor self-image. People with BPD experience feelings intensely and often find it difficult to stabilize their emotions after intense episodes. A combination of genetics and environmental factors contribute to the development of BPD. More women than men are impacted by borderline personality disorder, with symptoms such as:
- Intense mood swings
- Fear of abandonment
- Impulsive behaviors which could lead to substance abuse, unsafe sex, reckless spending, or reckless driving
- Difficulty in personal relationships; seeing others as either “good” or “bad”, also known as “splitting”
- Distorted thinking and poor self-image
- Suicidal thinking or behavior
- Dissociative feelings; experiencing your thoughts as unreal or feeling as though you are “out of your body”. Psychotic episodes are also possible.