BPD The Link Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Anger By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 13, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Getty Images Intense, inappropriate anger is one of the most troubling symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In fact, it's so intense that it's often referred to as “borderline rage.” Even so, while anger is a key feature of BPD, very little is known about why people with BPD experience anger differently than other people or how this experience is different. New research, however, is shedding light on the nature of borderline rage. What Is Borderline Anger? Borderline anger is more than just a standard emotional reaction. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), anger in BPD is described as "inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger." The reason anger in BPD is called “inappropriate,” is because the level of anger seems to be more intense than is warranted by the situation or event that triggered it. For example, a person with BPD may react to an event that may seem small or unimportant to someone else, such as a misunderstanding, with very strong and unhealthy expressions of anger, including: Physical violenceSarcasmYelling Why Borderline Anger Occurs While borderline anger has long been a topic of debate and speculation among BPD specialists, it has only recently become a focus of careful research. Experts are now examining how borderline anger is different than normal anger and why it occurs. More specifically, researchers are trying to understand whether people with BPD are more easily angered, have more intense anger responses, or have more prolonged anger responses than people without BPD (or whether it's some combination of these factors). One study examined anger in people with BPD compared to those without BPD in response to an anger-producing story. This study found that people with BPD reported the same level of anger as the healthy controls (in response to the story). But, the healthy controls reported that their anger decreased more quickly over time than the people with BPD reported. So it may not be that people with BPD have a stronger anger reaction, but that their anger has a much longer duration than other people experience. Furthermore, other research shows that anger in BPD may trigger rumination (when someone thinks over and over about their angry experience). This repetitive thinking creates a vicious emotional cycle that worsens the person's anger and increases its duration (as supported by the study mentioned above). Eventually, the prolonged and intense anger triggers aggressive behavior, which a person engages in to relieve their rage. Research in this area is very preliminary, and much more work is needed to fully understand how and why people with BPD experience borderline anger. Treatment There are a number of therapies that can be used to treat borderline personality disorder, including the often debilitating symptom of anger. Psychotherapy Most psychotherapies for BPD target the strong anger responses that people with BPD report and exhibit. For example, in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), patients are taught skills to help them better manage their anger and decrease angry outbursts. Other types of psychotherapy for BPD that target anger include: Mentalization-based therapy Schema-focused therapy Transference-focused therapy Get Help With These 7 Online Anger Management Classes Medications While there are no medications for BPD that are currently FDA approved to treat the disorder, there are some that have been shown to reduce anger in BPD. However, these BPD medications are probably most effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. This is because while medications can alter the intensity of anger, they cannot fully prevent or erase a person's anger when a life stressor or difficult situation arises. A Word From Verywell It's important to remember that anger itself is a normal emotion, so experiencing angry reactions does not mean you have BPD. Still, if you have difficulties with anger control, reaching out to a mental health professional is a good idea. If you or a loved one has difficulties with borderline anger, please seek out care from a therapist or other mental health professional. You (or your loved one) can gain control over your anger and feel better. 14 Ways to Manage the Rage Associated With BPD Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jacob GA, Guenzler C, Zimmermann S, et al. Time course of anger and other emotions in women with borderline personality disorder: A preliminary study. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2008;39(3):391-402. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.10.009 Martino F, Caselli G, Di Tommaso J, et al. Anger and depressive ruminations as predictors of dysregulated behaviours in borderline personality disorder. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2018;25(2):188-194. doi:10.1002/cpp.2152 Bozzatello P, Bellino S. Combined therapy with interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for borderline personality disorder: A two-years follow-up. Psychiatry Res. 2016;240:151-156. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.014 Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition. 2013 Speak to a Therapist for BPD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.