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Impulsive Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Published: June 9, 2022 Updated: March 10, 2023
Published: 06/09/2022 Updated: 03/10/2023
Brooke Schwartz, LCSW
Written by:

Brooke Schwartz

LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Impulsive BPD?Definition
  • Signs & Symptoms of Impulsive BPDSymptoms
  • Causes of Impulsive Borderline Personality DisorderCauses
  • Treating Impulsive BPDTreatments
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Impulsive BPD InfographicsInfographics
Brooke Schwartz, LCSW
Written by:

Brooke Schwartz

LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD

Despite not being recognized in the DSM-5, many consider impulsive borderline personality disorder a nonofficial subtype of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In addition to experiencing the symptoms of BPD, those with impulsive BPD tend to have a pattern of engaging in impulsive high-risk behaviors (e.g., unsafe sex, substance use, aggression) and have difficulty controlling impulses.

Connect with a therapist that specializes in treating BPD. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

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What Is Impulsive BPD?

While borderline personality disorder (BPD) in general is a pervasive pattern of impulsivity and instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, impulsive BPD (occasionally and colloquially referred to as “impulsive personality disorder”) is a subtype of BPD characterized by acting on impulses and engaging in high-risk behaviors with a difficulty controlling such urges.1

Impulsivity, in general, involves seeking out immediate gratification without regard for past learning or consideration of future consequences, and without having planned ahead of time to engage in the behavior. Impulsive behaviors range from small, harmless actions (e.g., taking a spontaneous drive) to highly dangerous and potentially even fatal behaviors and patterns (e.g., attempting suicide).

Those experiencing impulsive BPD may engage in such behaviors to satisfy their own urges or desire for immediate gratification, to connect with others, or to get others’ attention, even though such attention tends to be superficial vs. deep or meaningful.

The symptoms of impulsive BPD often overlap with those of histrionic personality disorder. Both share externalized self-centered qualities with a seemingly theatrical expression of emotions, a need to be the center of attention, chaotic relationships, and sexual provocativeness.2

While these disorders share many characteristics and defining symptoms (and they may even co-occur), impulsive BPD is distinct in that those experiencing it are more prone to anger, feelings of emptiness, self-destructive behavior, and identity disturbance.

Signs & Symptoms of Impulsive BPD

In addition to experiencing the symptoms of BPD, those with impulsive BPD tend to be quick to act on urges and desires, engaging in potentially dangerous behaviors without considering the consequences. They often feel pulled toward anything that offers instant gratification, as it helps them avoid a sense of emptiness or lack of fulfillment.

They may feel angered by criticism of these behaviors and relish in any positive attention (e.g., compliments or reports that their stories are entertaining.) So, while the behavior of someone with impulsive BPD may be frowned upon by their peers, they are often behaviorally reinforced due to the attention the behaviors garner.

Signs and symptoms of impulsive BPD include:

  • Risky behavior (unsafe sex, substance misuse, driving under the influence, thrill-seeking)
  • Aggressive behavior (such as yelling, fighting, breaking or damaging things, getting physical with others)
  • Impulsive self-harm or suicidality
  • High emotional reactivity
  • Lack of stability (e.g., frequently switching between jobs, starting and ending romantic relationships)
  • Attention- and reassurance-seeking behaviors
  • Thrill-seeking behaviors
  • Binging (food, alcohol, etc.)
  • Acting charismatic and dramatic despite often feeling empty or unfulfilled
  • Overspending
  • Making one’s mind up quickly or jumping to conclusions
  • Changing one’s mind or opinion seemingly out of nowhere

Causes of Impulsive Borderline Personality Disorder

Impulsive BPD is believed to be caused by a combination and transaction of genetic and environmental factors (such as trauma or chronic invalidation). Some studies have also suggested that people with BPD have brain abnormalities in the areas responsible for controlling levels of impulsivity.

Factors that can cause impulsive BPD include:

Genetics

While no specific gene has been identified as causing impulsive BPD (nor BPD more generally), research shows that genetic factors do contribute to its development.3 In fact, many with impulsive BPD have a family history of impulsive disorders such binge eating disorder, BPD, and ADHD.4

Brain Functioning

Some studies suggest that people with BPD have abnormalities in the areas of their brain responsible for emotion regulation and impulse control.5 It is also believed that decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is common among those with BPD, contributes to certain aspects of impulsivity.6 For those who have experienced trauma, excessive production of cortisol and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hyperactivity are other possible causes.3

Childhood Trauma

Impulsive BPD may also develop in response to childhood trauma or other adversities (such as parental neglect or loss, sexual abuse, incest, or inconsistent parenting).4 Many children that experienced trauma or neglect may have found that, as children, demonstrating risky behavior was the only way to get the attention of their caregivers, which reinforced the idea that impulsivity garners love and attention.

Further, many people engage in risky behaviors like unprotected sex and substance use a way of coping with the effects of trauma.

Other Environmental Factors

Other environmental and social factors may also lead to the development of impulsive BPD. For example, family conflict, chronic invalidation, rapid social change, and loss of social cohesion are possible predictors.4 It’s also been posited that impulsivity is a learned behavior, meaning it may develop as a result of modeling by caregivers or as a behavior children learn to engage in to get their needs met more quickly.6

Help For BPD

Talk Therapy – Get help living with Borderline Personality Disorder from a licensed therapist. Betterhelp offers online therapy starting at $60 per week. Get matched With A Therapist


Virtual Psychiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment


DBT Skills Course – DBT is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Talkiatry, and Jones Mindful Living.

Treating Impulsive BPD

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is often the treatment of choice for individuals diagnosed with impulsive BPD. DBT is a multi-dimensional treatment approach that involves individual and group therapy, phone coaching in-between sessions, and a skills group that focuses on building skills in the following areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Mindfulness practice is also helpful for those diagnosed with impulsive BPD as it increases awareness of the present moment, which can help identify present urges and think through the potential consequences of acting on them.

While a medication to treat BPD doesn’t exist, several medications are used to treat the symptoms of impulsive BPD (such as impulsivity, anxiety, and depression) and it is often recommended that they be used in tandem with psychotherapy.7

Whether for you or for a loved one, it’s important to find a therapist who has training and experience working with people who have BPD. A great way to find a therapist is by searching an online therapist directory, where you can sort by a therapist’s specialty.

Final Thoughts

Impulsive borderline personality disorder can be challenging to deal with, both as the person experiencing it and as a loved one. That being said, there are ways to cope and options for treatment that can increase your quality of life and help manage your symptoms.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Free BPD Newsletter 

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those impacted by BPD. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

Support Groups

PeerVida PeerVida offers weekly support groups for those who have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Groups are small and facilitated by a mental health professional. The cost of attending a group is $35 with no future commitment. Try PeerVida

DBT Skills Course

Jones Mindful Living Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses for only $19 per month. Free One Week Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry, Online-Therapy.com, PeerVida, and Jones Mindful Living.

Impulsive BPD Infographics

What Is Impulsive BPD? Signs and Symptoms of Impulsive BPD Treating Impulsive BPD

7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • (2020). Borderline personality disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237

  • Bradley, R., Zittel Conklin, C., & Westen, D. (2005). The borderline personality diagnosis in adolescents: Gender differences and subtypes. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(9), 1006-1019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16109003/

  • Leichsenring, F., Leibing, E., Kruse, J., New, A. S., & Leweke, F. (2011). Borderline personality disorder. The Lancet, 377(9759), 74-84. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21195251/

  • Paris, J. (2005). The development of impulsivity and suicidality in borderline personality disorder. Development and psychopathology, 17(4), 1091-1104. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16613432/

  • Borderline Personality Disorder: An Overview. (April, 2022). NIMH. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/

  • Bakhshani, N. M. (2014). Impulsivity: a predisposition toward risky behaviors. International journal of high risk behaviors & addiction, 3(2). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4080475/

  • Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., De Rosa, M. L., & Bellino, S. (2020). Current and emerging medications for borderline personality disorder: is pharmacotherapy alone enough?. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 21(1), 47-61. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31693423/

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Brooke Schwartz, LCSW
Written by:

Brooke Schwartz

LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Impulsive BPD?Definition
  • Signs & Symptoms of Impulsive BPDSymptoms
  • Causes of Impulsive Borderline Personality DisorderCauses
  • Treating Impulsive BPDTreatments
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Impulsive BPD InfographicsInfographics
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