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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects approximately 1.4% of adults in the United States, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. This comprehensive BPD symptoms test and self-assessment guide will help you understand the nine core symptoms of BPD and evaluate whether you might benefit from professional evaluation.
💡 For broader information about BPD, including causes, treatment options, and recovery insights, see our Complete Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder. If you're ready to explore testing options, check out our Complete Guide to BPD Tests.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This self-assessment tool is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a qualified mental health professional can provide an accurate BPD diagnosis. If you're experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please seek immediate professional help or contact a crisis helpline.
Understanding BPD Symptoms
Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and marked impulsivity. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a BPD diagnosis requires meeting at least 5 of the 9 core criteria.
BPD by the Numbers:
- 1.4% of U.S. adults are affected by BPD
- 75% of BPD diagnoses are in women
- 90% of people with BPD have experienced trauma
- 85% also have a co-occurring mental health condition
The symptoms of BPD typically emerge in early adulthood and can significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Early identification and appropriate treatment can lead to substantial improvement in symptoms and functioning. For adolescents, we offer specialized resources in our BPD Test for Teens: Age-Appropriate Screening and Early Detection guide.
The 9 Core BPD Symptoms
Understanding each of the nine core BPD symptoms is crucial for accurate self-assessment. These symptoms form the foundation of BPD diagnosis and are present across different situations and relationships.
Frantic Efforts to Avoid Abandonment
Intense fear of real or imagined abandonment, leading to desperate efforts to avoid being left alone. This may include:
- Constantly seeking reassurance from others
- Becoming clingy or possessive in relationships
- Panic when someone is late or doesn't respond immediately
- Making threats or engaging in manipulative behavior to prevent abandonment
Unstable Interpersonal Relationships
Pattern of intense, unstable relationships characterized by alternating between idealization and devaluation:
- Initially viewing new people as perfect or "all good"
- Sudden shifts to seeing them as "all bad" or terrible
- Difficulty maintaining long-term, stable relationships
- Relationships often end dramatically or abruptly
Identity Disturbance
Markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self:
- Frequent changes in goals, values, or career aspirations
- Feeling like you don't know who you "really" are
- Adopting different personalities in different situations
- Feeling empty or like you have no core identity
Impulsivity in Harmful Areas
Impulsiveness in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging:
- Spending money recklessly or compulsive shopping
- Substance abuse or excessive drinking
- Reckless driving or dangerous sexual behavior
- Binge eating or other harmful behaviors
Recurrent Suicidal Behavior
Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behavior:
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Self-harm behaviors like cutting or burning
- Suicide attempts or threats
- Using self-harm as a coping mechanism
Affective Instability
Marked reactivity of mood and intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety:
- Rapid mood swings lasting hours to days
- Intense emotional reactions to minor events
- Difficulty returning to emotional baseline
- Emotions feel overwhelming and uncontrollable
Chronic Feelings of Emptiness
Persistent sense of inner emptiness or emotional void:
- Feeling hollow, numb, or "dead inside"
- Sense that something is missing but unsure what
- Difficulty feeling fulfilled or satisfied
- Constant search for something to fill the void
Inappropriate Intense Anger
Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger:
- Frequent displays of temper or anger
- Anger that seems disproportionate to the situation
- Difficulty calming down once angry
- Physical fights or verbal outbursts
Stress-Related Paranoid Ideation
Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms:
- Feeling like others are "out to get you" during stress
- Temporary loss of reality or feeling "unreal"
- Feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings
- Paranoid thoughts that disappear when stress reduces
BPD Self-Assessment Questionnaire
This questionnaire is based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for BPD. For each statement, rate how well it describes your typical thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over the past year using the scale below.
Rating Scale:
BPD Symptoms Assessment
I go to extreme lengths to avoid real or imagined abandonment by friends, family, or romantic partners. I panic when someone is late or doesn't respond to my messages immediately.
My relationships are intense but unstable. I tend to idealize people initially, seeing them as perfect, but then become disappointed and see them as terrible or worthless.
I have an unstable sense of self. My goals, values, opinions, or career plans change frequently. I often feel like I don't know who I really am.
I engage in impulsive behaviors that could be harmful, such as reckless spending, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, or binge eating.
I have recurring thoughts of suicide, have made suicide attempts, or engage in self-harming behaviors like cutting, burning, or hitting myself.
I experience intense, rapid mood swings. My emotions feel overwhelming and change quickly in response to stress or interpersonal conflicts.
I frequently feel empty, hollow, or like there's a void inside me. Life often feels meaningless or like something important is missing.
I have intense anger that seems inappropriate for the situation. I have trouble controlling my temper and may have physical fights or verbal outbursts.
During times of stress, I become suspicious of others' motives or feel disconnected from myself or reality, like I'm watching myself from outside my body.
Add up all your ratings to get your total score
Symptom Severity Assessment
Understanding the severity of your symptoms can help you determine the urgency of seeking professional help and the type of support you might need.
Severity Levels Based on Total Score:
Minimal Symptoms (0-6 points)
Your responses suggest minimal BPD symptoms. You may experience occasional emotional difficulties, but they don't significantly impact your daily functioning or relationships.
Mild Symptoms (7-12 points)
You may experience some BPD-related symptoms that occasionally cause distress or interfere with relationships and daily activities. Consider speaking with a mental health professional for guidance.
Moderate Symptoms (13-18 points)
Your responses indicate moderate BPD symptoms that likely cause significant distress and interfere with relationships, work, or daily functioning. Professional evaluation and treatment are recommended.
Severe Symptoms (19-27 points)
Your responses suggest severe BPD symptoms that significantly impact multiple areas of your life. Immediate professional evaluation and treatment are strongly recommended. If you're having thoughts of self-harm, seek crisis support immediately.
How to Interpret Your Results
Your BPD symptoms test results provide valuable insights, but it's important to understand their limitations and what they mean for your next steps.
Key Points About Your Results:
- Self-assessment limitations: This questionnaire cannot replace a professional clinical assessment
- Diagnostic criteria: A BPD diagnosis requires meeting 5 or more of the 9 DSM-5 criteria
- Severity matters: Higher scores (ratings of 2-3) on individual items are more clinically significant
- Context is important: Consider how long you've experienced these symptoms and their impact on your life
What High Scores May Indicate
If you scored high on this assessment, it may suggest that you're experiencing symptoms consistent with BPD. However, many mental health conditions share similar symptoms, including:
| Condition | Similar Symptoms | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Major Depression | Emptiness, mood instability | Depression is episodic; BPD is pervasive |
| Bipolar Disorder | Mood swings, impulsivity | Bipolar has distinct manic/depressive episodes |
| PTSD | Emotional dysregulation, dissociation | PTSD symptoms relate to specific trauma |
| ADHD | Impulsivity, emotional reactivity | ADHD focuses on attention/hyperactivity |
Next Steps and Professional Help
Based on your assessment results, here are recommended next steps for different score ranges:
Low-Moderate Scores (0-12)
- Consider general mental health resources
- Practice self-care and stress management
- Monitor symptoms over time
- Consult a counselor if symptoms worsen
Recommended reading: High-Functioning BPD Guide
High Scores (13-27)
- Schedule evaluation with a mental health professional
- Consider specialized BPD therapy (DBT, MBT)
- Join support groups or online communities
- Develop crisis safety plan if needed
Crisis resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline available 24/7
Finding Professional Help
When seeking professional help for BPD symptoms, look for mental health providers with specific training in personality disorders. For a comprehensive guide on navigating the professional assessment process, see our detailed article on How to Get Tested for BPD: Professional Assessment vs Self-Screening. According to research published in the Cambridge Journal of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, specialized treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) show the most promise for BPD treatment.
Types of Mental Health Professionals:
- Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide therapy
- Psychologists: Doctoral-level therapists specializing in psychological assessment and therapy
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Master's-level therapists with clinical training
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC): Master's-level counselors with specialized training
Evidence-Based Treatments for BPD
If you receive a BPD diagnosis, several evidence-based treatments have shown effectiveness:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Gold standard treatment focusing on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal skills, and mindfulness.
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT)
Focuses on improving the ability to understand mental states underlying behavior in oneself and others.
Schema Therapy
Integrative approach addressing deep-rooted patterns and early maladaptive schemas.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your results suggest you may benefit from professional evaluation, don't wait. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Take Our Comprehensive BPD TestImportant Reminders
This self-assessment is not a diagnostic tool. Only qualified mental health professionals can provide accurate diagnoses. If you're experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek immediate professional help or contact emergency services.
Crisis Resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)