| Prevalence |
Borderline personality disorder occurs in about 2% of the general population, 10% of outpatients, and 20% of inpatients. Borderline personality disorder is the most common personality disorder: 30–60% of those diagnosed with a personality disorder have borderline personality disorder (Adams et al., 2001; Widiger & Trull, 1993). Borderline personality disorder is five times more common among first-degree relatives of someone with the disorder than in the general population. |
| Comorbidity |
Common comorbid disorders include mood disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders (especially bulimia), and anxiety disorders (Grilo et al., 2004; Gunderson, Weinberg et al., 2006; Zanarini et al., 2004). |
| Onset |
As with all other personality disorders, symptoms for borderline personality disorder emerge in childhood or adolescence. |
| Course |
People with borderline personality disorder have a high suicide rate, with almost 10% dying by suicide (Linehan & Heard, 1999; Paris, 1993). The early adulthood years of people with this disorder are marked by mood episodes and serious impulse control problems, including suicide attempts; the risk of suicide peaks during early adulthood. Those who survive into their 20s and 30s are likely to improve within 10 years (Gunderson et al., 2011; Zanarini et al., 2010). |
| Gender Differences |
Approximately 75% of those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder are female. |
| Cultural Differences |
The diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder—and its conceptual underpinnings—may not apply equally well in all cultures, especially Asian cultures (Lee, 2008). |
| Source: Unless otherwise noted, citations should be for American Psychiatric Association, 2013. |