While primary care doctors may use screening tools for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), such as the McLean Screening Instrument for BPD (MSI-BPD) , the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4th edition—BPD Scale, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders -Patient Questionnaire— ...
There are no imaging tests or lab tests that can determine if a person has BPD. A doctor may begin the screening process by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Bloodwork, X-rays and other tests may be ordered to rule out physical causes of symptoms such as mood swings and erratic behavior.
Often, clinical psychologists perform these interviews. During the interview, the professional may ask about your medical history, family history, symptoms, and behavior. They may also ask about other aspects of your personal history if they believe it will help the assessment process.
“Do you have long-term feelings of sadness?” “Do you have long-term feelings of anger?” “Do you find that your relationships usually get very difficult and end abruptly?” “Have you had thoughts of killing yourself on and off over the years?”
Borderline personality disorder can be a difficult diagnosis because of similarities to other conditions, particularly mood disorders.
You can suffer more than one kind of BPD simultaneously or at different stages in your life. Similarly, it is also possible for your condition not to fit any of these types of BPD.
No, you cannot diagnose yourself with BPD.
The symptoms of BPD often overlap with such diagnoses of bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, depression, and anxiety.
Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose BPD. Things around me feel unreal. Sometimes, I feel as if I'm not real.
You'll probably receive a diagnosis after your BPD assessment. If your therapist needs more information before making a diagnosis, they may refer you to a specialist or your primary care doctor for further assessment.
If you're wondering whether or not you have BPD, contact a mental health professional to schedule an appointment for an assessment.
Identifying Episodes
Intense angry outbursts. Suicidal thoughts and self-harm behavior. Going to great lengths to feel something, then becoming increasingly avoidant and withdrawn. Paranoia, feeling as if there is someone out to get you.
See your GP if you're concerned that you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). They may ask about your symptoms and how they're affecting your quality of life.
Some ways that a person with BPD thinks include having paranoid ideation, dichotomous thinking, and dissociation. If you believe that you might be experiencing thinking associated with BPD, talk to your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a mental health professional.
While quiet BPD is not an official diagnosis, the use of this term denotes a subtype of borderline personality disorder that tends to turn symptoms inward rather than outward (which makes it less obvious).
With quiet BPD, you'll likely try to hide these symptoms from others, resulting in intense periods of anger, guilt, or shame directed toward yourself. You may hide impulsive behaviors or try to repress your moods. You might also withdraw or isolate from others.
Because there is no easy method to diagnose BPD, the medical professional may become focused on particular symptoms and may come up with a diagnosis of a variety of similar conditions, which include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fear of Patients Lashing Out. Individuals with symptoms of BPD are particularly sensitive to perceived criticism. This increases the likelihood that they will feel attacked when a therapist attempts to offer suggestions or insights. This often leads to lashing out.
Not only is BPD one of the most painful mental illnesses, but it's also intensified by stigma and being misunderstood by others. Fortunately, borderline personality disorder is a treatable condition, and the pain doesn't have to be endless.