Types of BPD: Signs, Symptoms & When to Get Help

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a pervasive psychiatric condition that impacts how people feel about themselves and others. Those diagnosed with BPD typically experience instability that reflects in their mood, emotions, behavior, and self-image. These issues often lead to chaotic relationships and problems in other important aspects of life. The signs and symptoms of BPD can differ in intensity, frequency, and/or duration depending on the person who has this condition.⁴

4 Types of BPD

The four types of borderline personality disorder include quiet (sometimes called discouraged) BPD, impulsive BPD, petulant BPD, and self-destructive BPD. Depending on the type of BPD one has, a person may experience varying symptoms, traits, and personality styles that impact many aspects of their life.

Here are the four types of borderline personality disorder:

1. Discouraged Borderline (Quiet BPD)

The discouraged borderline type, also referred to as high-functioning BPD or quiet BPD, includes a mixture of avoidance and dependence on others.³ People with discouraged BPD tend to be incredibly loyal and humble, but to a point where they may cling to others. Their identity depends heavily on their relationships, particularly romantic relationships.

If a close relationship ends, those with discouraged BPD are often unable to cope and their whole world becomes destabilized. Their fear of abandonment can cause them to feel insecure, helpless, and doubtful.

Additionally, discouraged borderlines tend to feel depressed and powerless.³ They lack motivation and agency and find small tasks to be insurmountable. As a result, they turn to others for support, often to the point of unhealthy dependence. These individuals also struggle to express anger as this conflicts with their self-image. Thus, they may turn their anger inward instead and engage in self-harm or suicide.

People with the discouraged borderline type tend to be:³

• Avoidant
• Depressed
• Hopeless
• Submissive
• Loyal
• Humble
• Helpless
• Vulnerable
• Clingy
• Codependent

2. Impulsive Borderline

People with impulsive borderline personality disorder show a mixture of histrionic and antisocial traits.³ These individuals tend to be distracted and hyperactive, and fail to think before taking action. Because of a lack of self-reflection, their behavior may cause harm to themselves or others. Their emotions are equally as chaotic as their behavior, as they are often easily agitated and irritable.

Impulsive borderlines usually come from chaotic families that involve lots of drama.³ To stand out against the chaos, they had to be exciting, unpredictable, and dramatic. Some may have felt valued when they were praised for their attractiveness or masculinity, which can lead to seductive behavior and superficial relationships. Overall, their need for attention and stimulation can cause them to feel constantly anxious.

People with the impulsive borderline type tend to be:³

• Superficial
• Irritable
• Chaotic
• Easily annoyed
• Fearful
• Unreliable
• Easily distracted
• Seductive
• Charismatic
• Engaging
• Suicidal

3. Petulant Borderline

The petulant borderline has a passive-aggressive personality style.¹³ Others may describe them as negative, demanding, stubborn, and impatient. They are often jealous of others’ happiness and resent having to depend on others. Some may report somatic disorders as a way of seeking attention.

Petulant borderlines rarely had their needs met as children and felt insecure in relationships.³ They may have been mistreated, abused, or manipulated by caretakers. As adults, they may have episodes of feeling worthless, depressed, or guilty, and at other times become overwhelmed with irrational anger and borderline rage. When the episode is over, they often feel remorseful and desperate to repair the damage done.

People with the petulant borderline type tend to be:³

• Pessimistic
• Unpredictable
• Defiant
• Impatient
• Irritable
• Stubborn
• Rebellious
• Cynical
• Resentful
• Easily offended

4. Self Destructive BPD

Self-destructive borderlines show masochistic personality traits.³ They tend to direct their feelings inward, which can lead to engaging in dangerous or harmful behaviors toward themselves. While they desperately want to be independent, they are also afraid of it. This causes significant internal tension and conflict.

These individuals tend to be sacrificial, conforming, and deferential in relationships with others.³ Because of the extreme behaviors that they exhibit, over time they may become resentful, bitter, and feel unappreciated. This can lead to increased depression and tension, which is often directed inward, such as through self-harming or suicide attempts.

People with the self-destructive borderline type tend to be:³

• Moody
• Bitter
• Self-loathing
• Overly compliant
• Self-focused
• Directing anger inward
• Submissive
• Suicidal

How Do I Know What Type of BPD I Have?

Knowing which type of BPD you have is best discussed with a mental health professional. You and your therapist or doctor discuss your symptoms and explore the ways in which this manifests for you. However, if you are not in the place to discuss this with a mental health professional as of yet, that is absolutely okay. Unfortunately there is no universal test for identifying what type of BPD you have. It is cautioned to avoid self-diagnosis.

How Is BPD Diagnosed?

Receiving a BPD diagnosis is best done with a mental health professional. Mental health professionals are therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.  Whichever professional you work with will do a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of your symptoms and how these symptoms impact your day-to-day life.

They will ask questions related to your mood, relationships, medical history, family history, substance using behaviors, amongst other life areas. Once diagnosed, a subtype of BPD is not necessarily discussed and may depend on the professional. However, the professional will generally highlight the main symptoms you have shared and how to best address them in your work together.

Low-Functioning Vs. High-Functioning BPD

Like any mental health condition, people with borderline personality disorder may vary in their level of overall functioning. By definition, the symptoms of BPD impact a person’s ability to function in several areas of their lives, such as their relationships, work, and health.¹ While all people with BPD experience impairments, some are able to limit the impact of their symptoms.

Low-Functioning BPD

Low-functioning BPD isn’t a formal diagnosis but rather a term used to describe people who experience severe symptoms of BPD that significantly interfere with their quality of life. People with severe BPD are more likely to struggle with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and impulsivity. In some cases, they may require hospitalization if they’re at risk of harming themselves.

Common signs of low-functioning BPD include:⁵

• Suicidal ideation
• Self-harming
• Impulsive and dangerous behaviors, like using drugs or having unprotected sex

High-Functioning BPD

High-functioning BPD is another name for quiet or discouraged BPD. These individuals are more likely to internalize their distress, making it less visible to others.³ People with less severe BPD may be safely treated in outpatient settings like partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or weekly therapy.⁶

Common signs of high-functioning BPD include:⁶

• Depression
• Feelings of chronic emptiness
• Extreme dependence in relationships

What Causes BPD?

Like any other psychological disorder, precise causes for BPD are difficult to pinpoint. Many experts agree that interactions among the environment, biology, and genetics can contribute to its development.⁴

While having any or a combination of these factors could result in the onset of BPD symptoms, this may not be the case for everyone. Conversely, a person may lack these risk factors and still develop BPD.⁴

Possible causes of borderline personality disorder include:⁴

• Genetics: There is some evidence suggesting that BPD may be genetic. Someone with a close relative (like a parent or sibling) with this condition may be at a higher risk of developing BPD.
• Brain Anomalies: Several studies have linked brain anomalies with BPD. These revealed that variations in brain structure and function may account for symptoms like emotional instability and impulsiveness.
• Childhood Trauma: Many cases of BPD have been associated with childhood trauma. BPD sufferers have reported experiencing traumatic events during childhood, like physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, etc.

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatments

Treatments for BPD often involve a combination of individual and group therapy, medications, and self-care. DBT for BPD, psychodynamic therapy, and mentalization-based therapy (MBT) are effective options and can help people improve their ability to cope with their emotions, communicate with others, and decrease negative behaviors.⁹

While there are no medications specifically for BPD, medications may be prescribed to treat symptoms like depression, mood instability, and anxiety.¹⁰ Borderline personality disorder medications are most effective when combined with therapy.

When to Seek Professional Help For BPD

Seeking professional help can be a scary and daunting process. There are signs when professional support is the best course of action, including: increased difficulties at work or school, frequent outbursts (verbally or physically) toward those closest to you, mood swings that are constant and persistent, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, and difficulties engage in activities of daily living, like showering.

The first course of action is usually to consult your insurance for in-network providers in your area. Additionally, there are many online therapy platforms, such as Talkspace and BetterHelp, that match you with a therapist based on your needs. You can also find therapists in your area through online directories where you can view a professional’s profile and their specialities.

If a person with BPD is experiencing severe symptoms, like suicidal ideation, then hospitalization may be necessary until their symptoms are stabilized and they can safely be treated in an outpatient setting.