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Diagnosis - Borderline personality disorder

Contact your GP if you're worried you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). They may ask about your symptoms and how they're affecting your quality of life.

Your GP will also want to rule out other more common mental health difficulties, such as depression. This will make sure there's no immediate risk to your health and wellbeing.

If your GP thinks you have BPD, they may refer you to your local community mental health service. Ask if the service has experience of working with BPD.

Symptoms of BPD

Community mental health team

Community mental health services help people with complex mental health difficulties.

If you're diagnosed with BPD, a team of specialists will work together to give you the best treatment and care. This is also known as your community mental health team (CMHT).

Treating BPD

Involving your family

Many of the symptoms of BPD can affect your relationships with people close to you. Teaching friends and family about what BPD is and how it can impact on your relationships with them can help treatment work better.

Your family and friends can look out for signs that may help them to understand when you're having a crisis.

The decision to talk about your condition is yours. Talk to your mental health team about telling close family, friends and people you trust.

Getting support

Your GP or mental health team can advise about any local support groups and services.

Mental health supports and services


Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

Page last reviewed: 2 April 2025
Next review due: 2 April 2028