The "Crazy" Criteria

I thought that I should describe exactly what Borderline Personality Disorder is for those of you who don't know to give a better understanding of exactly what I am going through. I don't let most people get close enough to me to see what I hold inside. The criteria you are about to read is like a roadmap though my entire life. A pattern I can't seem to escape.

BPD Criteria

1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self image or sense of self.
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self damaging (ie. spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating, etc).
5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self mutilating behavior.
6. Affective mood instability and marked reactivity to environmental situations (ie. intense episodic depression, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and rarely more than a few days).
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness.
8. Inappropriate intense anger, or difficulty controlling anger (ie. frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).

BPD Checklist:

• Traumatic childhood experiences (especially physical or sexual abuse).
• Self sabotaging behaviors (such as ruining a job interview or destroying a good relationship)
• History of disappointing jobs, relationships, or other commitments.
• Frequent changes in jobs, schools, majors, and relationships (several divorces, separations, and remarriages).
• History of hurtful relationships (ie. relationships with alcoholics or any abusive relationship) or relationships with narcissistic controlling partners that result in conflict.
• Utilization of transitional objects (ie. relying on teddy bears fro comfort).
• Sexual confusion (ie. bisexuality).
• Dangerous behavior that may be perceived as exciting (ie. drug abuse, promiscuity, shoplifting, bulimia, etc.).
• Frequent conflict, especially with important figures such as bosses, colleagues, friends, or family.
• Repeated history of violence either as perpetrator, victim, or both.
• Severe changes in attitude (ie. idealizing a friend and later hating him).
• Attraction to extremist organizations such as religious or political cults.