Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships. With borderline personality disorder, you have an intense fear of abandonment or instability, and you may have difficulty tolerating being alone. Yet inappropriate anger, impulsiveness and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you want to have loving and lasting relationships. Borderline personality disorder usually begins by early adulthood. The condition seems to be worse in young adulthood and may gradually get better with age. If you have borderline personality disorder, don't get discouraged. Many people with this disorder get better over time with treatment and can learn to live satisfying lives. Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Dec. 13, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Borderline personality disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed May 8, 2018. Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml. Accessed May 8, 2018. Skodol A. Borderline personality disorder: Epidemiology, clinical features, course, assessment, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 8, 2018. Skodol A. Treatment of borderline personality disorder. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 8, 2018. Newlin E, et al. Personality disorders. Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology. 2015;21:806. Borderline personality disorder. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-Personality-Disorder/Overview. Accessed May 8, 2018. Starcevic V, et al. Pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder: Replacing confusion with prudent pragmatism. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2018;31:69. Veterans Crisis Line. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. Accessed May 10, 2018. Palmer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 1, 2018. National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://nrepp.samhsa.gov/Legacy/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=243. Accessed May 10, 2018. Related Associated Procedures Psychotherapy Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Borderline personality disorderSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20370221 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Borderline personality disorder