The 2 types of Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is the most widely researched personality disorder and its main characteristics are the following: instability self-image, interpersonal relationships and in the state moody and; on the other hand, a notable instability that affects in different contexts.

There are two types of borderline personality disorder: the first, "impulsive type", which is fundamentally characterized by the existence of impulsiveness in behavior patterns, and the second, "borderline type", characterized by a general emotional, interpersonal and self-image instability.

In this article We will see what are the two types of borderline personality disorder, according to the diagnostic criteria of the "International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition (ICD-10)".

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What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

Before explaining what the two types of borderline personality disorder consist of, it is convenient that we explain what this type of disorder consists of. disorder according to the most updated versions of the main diagnostic manuals on mental disorders (DSM-5 and ICD-11).

Notably the subdivision of 2 types of borderline personality disorder is found only in the previous version of the ICD (ICD-10), as we will see later, although it should be kept in mind since, although this subdivision is not reflected in the current manuals, in clinical practice many mental health professionals do have it in mind to make a more detailed diagnosis in order to seek the most appropriate treatment for each case particular.

It is also important to mention that the ICD-11 has proposed a vision of personality disorders that is different from the classifications that we are used to. see, coming to propose a closer vision to the reality present in the practice of psychiatry and clinical psychology, for which it only appears a single diagnosis called “Personality disorders and related traits”, so that there is no categorical classification of the different disorders of personality that had appeared in the DSM-5 and in the ICD-10 and, therefore, there is no explicit classification of borderline personality disorder in ICD-11.

We will briefly see below the classification of borderline personality disorder according to the DSM-5 criteria and also the new ICD-11 classification of personality disorders before proceeding to discuss the types of borderline personality disorder personality.

1. Criteria for borderline personality disorder according to the DSM-5

The criteria for borderline personality disorder according to the DSM-5 manual are as follows.

Criterion A is that, first, there is a pattern of internal experience and behavior that does not conform to normality in your culture. Such a pattern must appear in 2 or more of the areas of cognition, affect, interpersonal activity, and impulse control.

Furthermore, criterion B states that those patterns of criterion A must be inflexible and appear in a wide variety of situations, causing significant discomfort in that person.

On the other hand, these patterns must remain stable over time in order to make the diagnosis and their onset must date back to the adolescence or at the beginning of the adult stage, these patterns cannot be due to another mental disorder or to the effects of the consumption of any substance.

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2. Criteria for borderline personality disorder according to ICD-11

As we said before, the ICD-11 only proposes a general diagnosis "Personality and related disorders", so that The definition that appears in this manual is based on the alterations and dysfunctions present in the patient at the intra and interpersonal.

So, first, the clinician makes an assessment of the severity of that personality disorder: mild, moderate, or severe personality disorder, based on that dimensional assessment of the severity found in said alteration.

Then, it assesses at the categorical level the patterns or prominent personality traits; These evaluated traits are similar to the model of the “big 5 personality” (detachment, negative affectivity, disinhibition, anaplasty and anti-sociability) and along with those traits that are prominent, a specific borderline pattern of behavior must be described that does not fit any of the dimensions of the Big 5 model.

Now that we have seen what is the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder according to the criteria of the DSM-5 and the ICD-11, we will explain the types of borderline personality disorder personality.

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What types of Borderline Personality Disorder are there?

According to the ICD-10 criteria of the WHO, there are 2 types of borderline personality disorder (BPD), whose classificatory names correspond to the two symptoms that are most significant in each case: in the first place, impulsiveness and; secondly, instability at an emotional, self-image and also interpersonal level.

That is why in each of the two types of borderline personality disorder that we are going to explain In more detail below, one or the other of these symptoms just discussed becomes more prevalent. to mention.

1. Borderline Personality Disorder of the Impulsive type

The first of the two types of borderline personality disorder would be the “impulsive type” BPD, whose characteristic fundamental and differentiated from the other type is the impulsiveness that is present in the behavior of these people, way that they do not usually foresee the consequences of the acts they carry out impulsively and that, quite often, they end up being involved in self-destructive behaviors and even present explosions of violent acts.

In impulsive BPD it is also characteristic that these people have emotional instability, so that their moods could fluctuate somewhat abruptly in a very short time and without there being an apparent relationship with the external events that surround him.

The diagnostic criteria for "impulsive type" BPD according to the ICD-10 are those that we are going to list below.

On the one hand, the general criteria for diagnosing personality disorders should be met.

For the other, At least 3 of the following criteria should be present, the second must be present:

• Marked predisposition to behave in a quarrelsome manner and to have conflicts with other people.

• He tends to have outbursts of violence and anger, being unable to control his explosive behaviors.

• It is difficult for him to carry out lasting tasks that do not offer him some immediate reward.

• Whimsical and unstable humor.

• Marked predisposition to act unexpectedly and without considering the consequences.

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2. Borderline Personality Disorder

The second of the two types of borderline personality disorder would be "borderline type" BPD, whose main characteristic is instability, which influences their interpersonal relationships, at an emotional level and also in their self image.

The instability that is present in your self-image or self-perception is reflected in your big changes in terms of personal preferences, goals or even sexual identity without apparently having too much criteria.

Regarding instability in social or interpersonal relationships, it is reflected in their sudden changes about what he thinks about other people in his environment that fluctuates depending on the attention he perceives from them towards him. Instability at an emotional level can be observed through the frequent variability of their moods..

The diagnostic criteria for “borderline type” BPD according to the ICD-10 are as follows.

On the one hand, the general criteria for diagnosing personality disorders should be met.

What's more, At least 3 of the following criteria should be present, the second must be present:

• There are doubts or alterations regarding the image he has of himself and his preferences.
• He easily gets involved in unstable and intense relationships, which often end badly.
• He tries too hard to keep him from being abandoned.
• He repeatedly carries out threats or even acts of self-harm.
• Chronic feelings of emptiness.