Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that involves symptoms like emotional instability, impulsivity, and feelings of abandonment and emptiness.1,2 According to Theodore Millon, an expert on personality disorders, BPD can be divided into four types: discouraged, impulsive, petulant, and self-destructive.3 People with different types of BPD may vary in the severity of certain symptoms.
The four types of borderline personality disorder are:
1. Discouraged Borderline (Quiet BPD)
The discouraged borderline type is also referred to as the high-functioning BPD or quiet borderline.3 This type of BPD includes a mixture of avoidance and dependence on others. 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, they are often unable to cope and their whole world becomes destabilized. Their fear of abandonment can cause them to feel insecure, helpless, and doubtful.
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, but to the point of unhealthy dependence. These individuals also struggle to express anger. Expressing anger conflicts with their self-image, so 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
2. Impulsive Borderline
People with the impulsive borderline type show a mixture of histrionic and antisocial traits.3 These individuals tend to be distracted, hyperactive, and fail to think before taking action. Because of their 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 and action.3 In order to stand out against the chaos, they had to be exciting, unpredictable, and dramatic themselves. For some, they 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 and on edge.
People with the impulsive borderline type tend to be:3
- Superficial
- Irritable
- Chaotic
- Easily annoyed
- Fearful
- Unreliable
- Easily distracted
- Seductive
- Suicidal
3. Petulant Borderline
The petulant borderline has a passive-aggressive personality style.3 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 tend to feel insecure in their relationships.3 They may have felt mistreated, abused, or manipulated by caretakers. As adults they may have episodes of feeling worthless, depressed, and guilty and at other times become overwhelmed with irrational anger and rage that can result in attacking others. When the episode is over, they often feel guilty, remorseful, and desperate to repair the damage caused by their behavior.
People with the petulant borderline type tend to be:3
- Pessimistic
- 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
- Overly compliant
- Self-focused
- Directing anger inward
- Submissive
- Suicidal
Can a Person with BPD Fall into More Than One Subtype?
“There is a lot of overlap between the categories, and someone may exhibit characteristics from multiple subtypes at once. They may also shift from one to another over time due to outside forces. For example, someone who was very impulsive in their teens and early twenties may ultimately give up impulsive behaviors that have negative consequences and may fall into the discouraged subtype as they become less impulsive with age and become dependent on a small number of people to meet their emotional needs.” – Catherine Humenuk, LCSW, MSW, C-DBT, RYT
Low-Functioning vs. High-Functioning BPD
Like any mental health condition, people with Borderline personality disorder may vary in their level of 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 is a term used to describe people who experience severe symptoms of BPD that significantly interfere with their functioning. People with severe BPD are more likely to struggle with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and impulsivity.4 Individuals with low functioning BPD may require hospitalization if they are at risk of harming themselves.
Common signs of low functioning BPD include:4
- 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. People with this type of BPD 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.5
Common signs of high functioning BPD include:5
- Depression
- Feelings of chronic emptiness
- Extreme dependence in relationships
Four Types of Borderline Mother (Subtypes in Pop Media)
In her book Understanding the Borderline Mother: Helping her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship,6 Dr. Christine Lawson identifies four types of borderline mothers:
1. The Waif
The waif is described as helpless, hopeless, highly sensitive, vulnerable, and having low self-esteem. Children of these mothers may internalize their mother’s worldview, view themselves as failures for not making their mothers happy, or develop an enmeshed relationship. The waif shares traits with Millon’s discouraged borderline type.
2. The Hermit
The hermit mother views the world as dangerous and people as selfish and cold. On the outside she may seem tough and independent, but internally she is insecure, angry, and paranoid. Children of the hermit may adopt their mother’s worldview and have a hard time trusting others. The hermit also overlaps with the discouraged borderline.
3. The Queen
The queen mother seeks attention and turns to her children to meet her own needs. She feels chronically empty, entitled, and is unable to self-soothe. Her relationships with her children often involve conflict, as her children are unable to meet her excessive demands and at the same time long for their mother to meet theirs. This type shares features of the impulsive type of BPD.
4. The Witch
The witch mother is cruel, hostile, and sadistic toward others, including her children. She has little concern for others’ needs and feelings and has a strong need for power and control. Children of the witch mother may feel responsible for their mother’s abuse and struggle with depression, shame, and post-traumatic stress. This type also overlaps with Millon’s impulsive borderline type.
While Dr. Lawson’s characterization of the four types of borderline mothers are distinct from the four types of BPD described by Millon, there is some overlap.
Current Research on BPD Subtypes
While the types of BPD described above are not clinical diagnoses recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, professionals rely on these subtypes to help understand the different ways that people with BPD may present.1 At the present time there is not a significant amount of research on the different types of BPD.
One paper in the 1980’s described three types of BPD: schizophrenic (issues with boundary differentiation), anaclitic (concerns with rejection and abandonment), and introjective (preoccupation with criticism).7
One study of adolescents admitted to an inpatient hospital for BPD found five types: affective, impulsive, dependent, aggressive, empty.8 Though these types are slightly different from those identified by Millon, there is some overlap between them, such as similarities between Millon’s discouraged type and the study’s dependent type.
When & How to Get Help for BPD
Treatment for BPD often involves a combination of individual and group therapy, medications, and self-care. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy and mentalization-based therapy (MBT) are effective therapies for BPD and can help people improve their ability to cope with their emotions, communicate with others, and decrease negative behaviors.9
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. While there are no medications specifically for BPD, medications may be prescribed to treat symptoms like depression, mood instability, and anxiety.10 Medications for BPD are most effective when they are combined with therapy.
Because of its complexities, it is important to choose a therapist that has experience treating BPD. You can find help by searching our therapist directory, which allows you to identify providers who work with BPD.
Final Thoughts on Types of BPD
If you’re dealing with a form of BPD, you are not alone. Therapy is an effective treatment for BPD and can help you learn to cope with your symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help today.
