Why is it Called the Borderline Disorder?

Written by Dr. Leland Heller

QUESTION:

I have been reading up on borderline personality disorder. Please just tell me, on the borderline of WHAT? Why is it called "borderline"? Is there a risk that the person, being on the borderline of whatever, can transition to another disorder?

Thank you.

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

Borderlines become psychotic too easily. Dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair), paranoia, and dissociative symptoms are considered psychotic because they are usually not related to a true life event. Individuals with the BPD often jump to the wrong conclusions and misinterpret what's going on.

Individuals with the BPD aren't chronically psychotic, but they experience psychosis too easily. It's for this reason they are described as being "on the border" between psychosis and reality. That concept resulted in the name "Borderline Personality Disorder."

next:  How Is the BPD Diagnosed and Can It Be Diagnosed in Children? ~ back to: Borderline Personality Disorder FAQs Table of Contents.