borderline personality disorder
noun
: a personality disorder that is marked by unstable, intense emotions and mood with symptoms including instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image, fear of abandonment, and impulsive or unpredictable behavior and that has an onset during adolescence or early adulthood
Like others with borderline personality disorder, she had intense and unstable relationships with people that veered from adoration to intense hatred and jealousy the moment she felt the merest slight.—
Richard A. Friedman
Richard A. FriedmanBorderline personality disorder afflicts an estimated 1.3 percent of U.S. adults.—Bruce Bower
—abbreviation BPD
Bruce BowerExamples of borderline personality disorder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Illogical Thinking Distorted, unsound thinking can arise with borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, and manic episodes of bipolar disorder, among other mental health conditions.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
In nearby Fort Atkinson, a facility licensed only to care for older adults with dementia admitted someone with several mental health conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, paranoia and suicidal ideation.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2024
Another study, published in 2015, assessed the effects of various DBT interventions on 99 women who had borderline personality disorder and experienced suicidality — all participants experienced reductions in frequency of self-harm and found reasons for living after a year of treatment.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Clinicians have, however, begun to adapt psychotherapies that have proved to be effective in other, related conditions, such as borderline personality disorder.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023
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Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
In nearby Fort Atkinson, a facility licensed only to care for older adults with dementia admitted someone with several mental health conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, paranoia and suicidal ideation.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2024
Another study, published in 2015, assessed the effects of various DBT interventions on 99 women who had borderline personality disorder and experienced suicidality — all participants experienced reductions in frequency of self-harm and found reasons for living after a year of treatment.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Clinicians have, however, begun to adapt psychotherapies that have proved to be effective in other, related conditions, such as borderline personality disorder.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for borderline personality disorder
Cite this Entry
“Borderline personality disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/borderline%20personality%20disorder. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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borderline personality disorder
noun
: a personality disorder that is marked by unstable, intense emotions and mood with symptoms including instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image, fear of abandonment, and impulsive or unpredictable behavior and that has an onset during adolescence or early adulthood
Borderline personality disorder afflicts an estimated 1.3 percent of U.S. adults.—Bruce Bower
—abbreviation BPD
Bruce BowerLove words? Need even more definitions?
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