Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can affect every aspect of a person’s life because it affects how someone views themselves and behaves around other people.

Common symptoms of BPD can include an unstable self-image, distorted perception of relationships, and challenges regulating emotions and behaviors. BPD is one of 10 personality disorders.

Living with the symptoms of BPD can be challenging, but with the right treatment plan you can reduce your symptoms and live a happy and stable life. The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis.

This brief, time-saving questionnaire is designed for anyone who thinks they may be experiencing symptoms of borderline personality disorder.

The statements below will help you determine whether you may need additional help and professional support for your symptoms.

A mental health professional can also help you figure out if your issues might be a symptom of BPD and recommend treatment if needed.

This online screening is not a definitive tool. It’s not designed to diagnose BPD or take the place of a professional diagnosis.

You can, however, use this test as a self-screening tool to track your moods. It might also show your doctor how your symptoms have changed from one visit to the next.

Only a trained medical professional, such as a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

Instructions

For each statement, indicate how much you agree or disagree. This takes most people about 5 minutes to complete. Try to take your time and answer truthfully for the most accurate results.

Was this helpful?

Remember that this online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a healthcare or mental health professional, can accurately diagnose a mental health condition.

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

What are the nine criteria of BPD?

There are nine criteria symptoms of BPD. To be diagnosed with BPD, you must display at least five of the following symptoms:

  • viewing relationships in extremes (e.g., everything is either all good or all bad)
  • challenges controlling anger
  • frequent mood changes (i.e., periods of intense anger, depression, or anxiety)
  • recurrent suicidal ideation
  • chronic feelings of emptiness
  • acting impulsively in at least two ways that could be potentially harmful (e.g., spending money, substance use, reckless driving, or binge eating)
  • paranoia or dissociation, which is often brief and related to times of extreme stress
  • a lack of sense of self (e.g., a dramatic shift in big life aspects such as your career, life goals, or values)
  • fear of abandonment

How is BPD diagnosed?

If you think you may have BPD, a healthcare or mental health professional will conduct a psychological evaluation.

This assessment generally involves an interview, multiple questionnaires, and taking a medical history. A physical exam or bloodwork may also be done to rule out other health conditions that could be causing your symptoms.

Can I self-diagnose BPD?

No. Only a healthcare or mental health professional can accurately diagnose a mental health condition.

What can trigger BPD?

There’s no single cause of BPD, which means many different factors can potentially cause it to develop.

Factors involve:

  • Genetics. Certain genes may make you more vulnerable to developing BPD.
  • The environment. Environmental triggers include experiencing childhood trauma.
  • Your brain. Abnormal brain structures may play a role.
  • Chemicals. Changes in neurotransmitter levels in your brain, especially serotonin, may be involved.

What is high functioning BPD?

If you have high functioning BPD — aka “quiet” BPD — you may try to hide your symptoms from others. You may direct your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors inward rather than outward so others can’t see them.

Quiet BPD isn’t an official clinical diagnosis but is instead considered a subtype of BPD.

Ready to start therapy? Our Find a Therapist resource may help.