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Diagnosis - Borderline personality disorder

See 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 conditions, such as depression. This will make sure there's no immediate risk to your health and wellbeing.

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

Community mental health team

Community mental health services help people with complex mental health conditions. Members of the multi-disciplinary team will assess your mental health and develop a plan of support with you.

Involving your family

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

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.

Organisations that provide mental health services


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

Page last reviewed: 1 September 2022
Next review due: 1 September 2025