What characterizes Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is primarily characterized by impulsive behaviors and unstable relationships, which is why this answer is accurate. Individuals with BPD often experience intense and fluctuating emotions, leading to difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. Their relationships can be characterized by extremes of idealization and devaluation, often swinging from extreme closeness to intense conflict, which reflects the instability central to the disorder.

Impulsivity is another core feature of BPD. This can manifest in various ways, such as impulsive spending, unsafe sexual practices, substance abuse, or self-harming behaviors. These impulsive actions can exacerbate problems in relationships and contribute to feelings of emptiness or identity disturbance.

Other options do not align with the characteristics of BPD. A stable self-image and consistent behaviors are not typical for individuals with this disorder, as BPD often involves a fragmented self-image. Pervasive emotional stability contradicts the hallmark emotional dysregulation seen in BPD, where individuals frequently experience significant mood swings. Although chronic mood swings may appear in individuals with BPD, impulsivity and relationship instability are more defining characteristics of the disorder.