“I ruin every relationship I care about.” - BPD

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is deeply misunderstood, heavily stigmatized, and far more complex than just "being emotional". In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down the official BPD diagnostic criteria from the DSM, explaining how BPD symptoms actually present in real life, therapy offices, and everyday relationships. She explores the underlying fear of abandonment, idealization and devaluation (splitting), identity disturbances, and why BPD so frequently overlaps with PTSD, trauma, and ADHD. Plus, discover actionable evidence-based BPD treatment options like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) to help manage emotional dysregulation, navigate relationship boundaries, and work toward long-term remission.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

01:00 - Why "Personality Disorder" is a Misleading Term

01:55 - How BPD is Diagnosed: DSM Criteria Overview

02:55 - BPD Symptom 1: Fear of Abandonment & Attachment Styles

04:45 - BPD Symptom 2: Splitting, Idealization & Devaluation

07:25 - BPD Symptom 3: Identity Disturbance & Chronic Emptiness

08:31 - BPD Symptom 4: Impulsivity in Daily Life

12:05 - BPD Symptom 5: Recurrent Suicidal Behavior & Self-Harm

16:05 - BPD Symptom 6: Affective Instability (BPD vs Bipolar Disorder)

18:18 - BPD Symptom 7: Chronic Feelings of Emptiness