BPD Diagnosis Do You Have Borderline Personality Disorder? Extreme reactions to abandonment are common among those with BPD By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 04, 2020 1. Do you have unstable and intense relationships with alternating extremes of love and hate? Yes, I have nasty fights with family and friends. One minute I love them, the next I hate them. Sometimes, but my feelings for friends and family don't fluctuate – I love them. No, I'm pretty good about calmly communicating when disagreements arise. 2. Do you have an unstable self-image or sense of self? Yes, I question my self-worth, and it's even caused me to constantly change my career goals. I'd be lying if I didn't admit some days I struggle with accepting myself for who I am. No, I'm confident in who I am and what I want out of life. 3. Do you have impulsive, self-destructive behavior? Yes, there are times when I have unprotected sex or use drugs because it makes me feel good. Sometimes I don't make the best decisions, and I'll admit it doesn't make me feel better about myself. No, I like to think before my actions. 4. Do you constantly wrestle with self-mutilating or suicidal thoughts? Yes, I've cut myself in the past, and I struggle with thoughts of ending my life. I've had suicidal thoughts before, but I don't think I'd actually go through with it. Not at all. I have bad days, but I always look for healthy ways to manage negative thoughts. 5. Do you experience frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, even when no real threat exists? Yes, I can't stand to be alone, and I'll do anything I can to avoid it. Not frantic, but I do try to avoid being alone. No, I'm perfectly content with alone time. 6. Do you have frequent, intense mood swings or emotional overeactions? Yes, I can go from calm to furious rather quickly. The anger can last hours or even days. If I'm already having a bad day, it's possible for me to quickly go over the edge, but that's normal, isn't it? No, my anger rises gradually, and I don't hold onto it for long. I prefer to let things go. 7. Do you have chronic feelings of emptiness? Yes, nothing fills this void. I feel it all the time. Occasionally, I feel like something's missing, but I try to distract myself. No, I find fulfillment in family and life's simple pleasures. 8. Do you have inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger? Yes, if I'm angry, everyone will feel my wrath. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. Sometimes I'll lash out at friends or family, but I'm aware of my outbursts. No, if I feel angry, I like to wait until I calm down to express my feelings. 9. Do you have temporary episodes of paranoia or loss of contact with reality? Yes, especially when stressed, I'll have moments when I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience. Nothing severe, but every now and then if I'm highly stressed, I'll become slightly paranoid. No, I don't recall experiencing episodes of paranoia under any circumstances. Do You Have Borderline Personality Disorder? You got: It's Possible You Have BPD PeopleImages/Digital Vision/Getty Images If you've been averse to seeking help before, consider this your wake-up call. Based on your results, it's possible you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). According to the DSM-V, if you possess five or more of the nine BPD symptoms outlined in this quiz, it may be an indication you have the condition. You may have noticed emotional instability has led you to have extreme reactions to abandonment, including panic, depression and rage. You have a history of tumultuous relationships with friends, family and significant others. You also have suicidal thoughts and engage in risky, impulsive behaviors, such as unprotected sex and substance abuse. If this sounds like you, it may be time to seek a therapist and discuss treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy. It's never too late to get help! THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Share Pin Tweet Do You Have Borderline Personality Disorder? You got: It's Not BPD, but You May Want to Seek Therapy Kevin Landwer-Johan/E+/Getty Images Not everyone's emotionally stable or has the best relationships with friends and family, but it doesn't mean you have a serious mental health condition like borderline personality disorder (BPD). Based on your results, you're far from BPD, but there are some indications of a mental health problem. According to the DSM-V, if you possess five or more of the nine BPD symptoms outlined in this quiz, it may be an indication you have the condition. Since you chose close to five symptoms, there is cause for concern. If you're feeling depressed or have suicidal thoughts, you should seek a therapist immediately. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Share Pin Tweet Do You Have Borderline Personality Disorder? You got: You Don't Appear to Have BPD Jupiter Images/PhotoLibrary/Getty Images No one's saying you don't have occasional outbursts of anger or make risky, impulsive decisions – some people are more emotionally stable than others. Based on your results, however, you don't seem to have a serious mental health condition like borderline personality disorder (BPD). According to the DSM-V, if you possess five or more of the nine BPD symptoms outlined in this quiz, it may be an indication you have the condition. Since you do not, you're fine. But you did choose to take this quiz for a reason. If you feel concerned about your mental health, it's probably best to seek a therapist. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Share Pin Tweet By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Speak to a Therapist for BPD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit