Diagnosis information

Borderline personality disorder

Core diagnostic criteria, specifiers, differential considerations, and documentation support in one open, scan-friendly view.

F60.3Personality DisordersLocal clinical reference

Criteria: 1 criterion, A
Specifiers: 4 specifiers
Differentials: 6 considerations
Severity specifier: Supported

Core diagnostic criteria

All criteria are shown. No expand controls or hidden sections.

A
Core criterion A
Pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, with marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood; ≥5 of 9: frantic efforts to avoid abandonment; unstable intense relationships; identity disturbance; impulsivity in ≥2 damaging areas; suicidal/self-mutilating behaviour; affective instability; chronic emptiness; inappropriate intense anger; transient stress-related paranoia/dissociation

Specifiers

Mild / Moderate / Severe: Severity determined by intensity of emotional dysregulation, interpersonal dysfunction, self-harm, and functional impairment.
With prominent dissociative features: Marked transient dissociation or paranoia during stress.
With predominant impulsive behaviour: Risk-taking, substance misuse, bingeing, or reckless acts.
With predominant affective instability: Rapid mood shifts with heightened reactivity.

Documentation support

Consistent with [Borderline Personality Disorder] [specifier(s)]. Since adolescence or early adulthood, there has been a pervasive pattern of frantic efforts to avoid abandonment; unstable and intense relationships; identity disturbance; impulsive behaviours; recurrent self-harm or suicidal behaviour; marked affective instability; chronic feelings of emptiness; intense anger; transient stress-related paranoia; transient dissociation, forming a pattern meeting the threshold for a stable and enduring borderline personality structure. The presentation is further characterised by persistent instability in self-image, emotional regulation, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control, occurring across multiple contexts. These symptoms have resulted in clinically significant impairment in interpersonal, social, or occupational functioning, and the presentation is not better explained by bipolar disorder, substance use, or another medical or neurological condition.

Adapt this supplied template to the assessment. It is not a substitute for diagnostic reasoning or local documentation requirements.

DSM-5 DiagnosisDSM-per-borderline-personality-disorderSupplied local catalogue