borderline personality disorder
BOR-der-line per-suh-NAL-ih-tee dis-OR-der
ˈbɔːrdərlaɪn ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪtiː dɪsˈɔːrdərListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
a personality disorder characterised by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions, and marked impulsivity; the core features include intense fear of abandonment, unstable and intense relationships alternating between idealisation and devaluation, identity disturbance, self-damaging impulsivity, suicidal or self-harming behaviour, emotional dysregulation with rapidly shifting moods, chronic feelings of emptiness, inappropriate intense anger, and transient paranoia or dissociation under stress; historically stigmatised within mental health services, BPD is now understood as largely arising from childhood trauma in the context of biological emotional sensitivity; with evidence-based treatment including DBT, the majority of people with BPD experience significant long-term improvement
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