system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[ELI5] What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

I love to read about different mental issues and personality disorder and came across BPD but I didn't really understand it. And now I really wanna understand it as it has peaked my interest. Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.
gpt
The name can be confusing because it's based on an outdated way psychologists described certain disorders. They used spectrums between two types of behavior. BPD was considered to be a condition on the border between psychosis and neurosis. What this means exactly isn't exactly important to understand what BPD is.

Unfortunately for patients BPD is a purely emotional disorder. It is not characterized by any specific brain chemistry imbalances like you might find for depression or bipolar disorder. The only treatment known is therapy to help the patient understand their mood swings and cope with them.

There are 9 characteristics which may define BPD. A patient may have any combination of the 9 or only a few of them.

1) a strong and consuming fear of abandonment

2) inability to maintain relationship

3) unclear or constantly changing self image

4) impulsive/self destructive acts

5) self-harm

6) extreme mood swings

7) chronic feelings of emptiness

8) explosive anger

9) suspicion or feelings that everyone has ulterior motives

BPD is often diagnosed with other things like bipolar disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders.