borderline personality


bor·der·line per·son·al·i·ty dis·or·der

1. an enduring and pervasive pattern that begins by early adulthood and is characterized by impulsivity and unpredictability, unstable interpersonal relationships, inappropriate or uncontrolled affect, especially anger, identity disturbances, rapid shifts of mood, suicidal acts, self-mutilations, job and marital instability, chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom, and intolerance of being alone. 2. a DSM diagnosis that is established when the specified criteria are met.

borderline personality

An older term for a personality profile between neurosis (i.e., capable of coping with the environment) and psychosis (i.e., disconnect with reality and not clearly schizophrenic). The term that has fallen into disuse; BPs may be defined in terms of adaptability—i.e., one who is not clearly beyond the reach of classical analytical techniques, but who responds poorly thereto. The term borderline personality disorder is formally defined in the DSM-IV.

personality

(per?son-al'it-e) [L. personalitas] The unique organization of traits, characteristics, and modes of behavior of an individual, setting that individual apart from others and at the same time determining how others react to the individual. Synonym: persona (2) See: personality test

alternating personality

Dissociative identity disorder.

anal personality

In Freudian psychology, a personality disorder marked by excessive orderliness, stinginess, and obstinacy. If carried to an extreme, these qualities lead to the development of obsessive-compulsive behavior. Synonym: anal characteristic

borderline personality

See: borderline personality disorder

callous-unemotional personality

Abbreviation: CU
A group of personality traits including lack of empathy, manipulativeness, and remorselessness. These traits are considered to be indicators of conduct disorder in childhood and adolescence and are uniquely characteristic of antisocial personality disorder in adults.

compulsive personality

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

distressed personality

Type D personality.

double personality

Dissociative identity disorder.

extroverted personality

See: extrovert

inadequate personality

A personality type in which the individual is ineffective and is physically and emotionally unable to cope with the normal stress of living.

introverted personality

See: introvert (1)

modal personality

The individual traits or characteristics typical of the society in which a person lives.

multiple personality

A term formerly used for dissociative identity disorder. See: dissociative identity disorder

obsessive-compulsive personality

Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

paranoid personality

Paranoid personality disorder.

psychopathic personality

Antisocial personality disorder.

type A personality

See: behavior

type B personality

See: behavior

type D personality

A personality type in which the individual is inhibited and uncomfortable in social situations, has difficulty making friends, and who tends to experience, but repress, feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, and discontent with others. Some studies have found correlations between this personality type and an increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Synonym: distressed personality