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
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Studies show that children exposed to abuse or high-conflict environments often develop a fear of abandonment and rejection, which can lead to complex trauma or borderline personality disorder.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
He is thought to have suffered from a combination of bipolar and borderline personality disorder, though these illnesses were never diagnosed.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
During a stay at Winnebago Mental Health Institute at age 17, Williams was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and possible schizoaffective disorder.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
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
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Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
He is thought to have suffered from a combination of bipolar and borderline personality disorder, though these illnesses were never diagnosed.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
During a stay at Winnebago Mental Health Institute at age 17, Williams was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and possible schizoaffective disorder.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
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
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 21 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
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