Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects the way people feel about themselves and others, making it hard to function in everyday life. It includes a pattern of unstable, intense relationships, as well as impulsiveness and an unhealthy way of seeing themselves. Impulsiveness involves having extreme emotions and acting or doing things without thinking about them first. People with borderline personality disorder have a strong fear of abandonment or being left alone. Even though they want to have loving and lasting relationships, the fear of being abandoned often leads to mood swings and anger. It also leads to impulsiveness and self-injury that may push others away. Borderline personality disorder usually begins by early adulthood. The condition is most serious in young adulthood. Mood swings, anger and impulsiveness often get better with age. But the main issues of self-image and fear of being abandoned, as well as relationship issues, go on. If you have borderline personality disorder, know that many people with this condition get better with treatment. They can learn to live stabler, more-fulfilling lives. Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Jan. 31, 2024 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Personality disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5-TR. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2022. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed April 28, 2023. Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/. Accessed April 28, 2023. Skodol A. Borderline personality disorder: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, course, assessment and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 28, 2023. Skodol A. Approach to treating patients with borderline personality disorder. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 28, 2023. The lifeline and 988. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/. Accessed April 28, 2023. Borderline personality disorder. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-Personality-Disorder. Accessed April 28, 2023. Starcevic V, et al. Pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder: Replacing confusion with prudent pragmatism. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2018; doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000373. Veterans Crisis Line. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. Accessed April 28, 2023. Allen ND (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. June 21, 2023. Ekiz E, et al. Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem-Ssolving for borderline personality disorder: A systematic review. Personal Mental Health. 2023; doi:10.1002/pmh.1558. Mendez-Miller M, et al. Borderline personality disorder. American Family Physician. 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 28, 2023. Lebow J. Overview of psychotherapies. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 28, 2023. Elsevier Point of Care. Borderline personality disorder. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 28, 2023. 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