Borderline personality disorder test


Borderline personality disorder test

This borderline personality disorder test is designed to help you understand whether you may experience patterns associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), such as intense emotional reactions, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, or a strong fear of abandonment. These patterns are explained in more detail on the BPD symptoms page.

Many people take this test because they are trying to make sense of emotional reactions, relationship patterns, or behaviors that feel difficult to control. You may notice that your emotions shift quickly, that relationships feel intense or unstable, or that you react strongly in situations that others seem to handle more easily. These experiences can become confusing and overwhelming, especially when they begin to affect daily life, self-esteem, or relationship functioning.

This test provides a first indication based on commonly reported BPD symptom patterns. It is not a diagnosis, but it can help you better understand your experiences and decide whether a more structured assessment or professional support may be useful.

After completing the test, you will receive immediate and anonymous results, along with a clear explanation of what your score may mean and possible next steps. The questionnaire is free and takes approximately five minutes to complete.

Scroll down to take the test.

Niels Barends psychologist

Author:
Niels Barends, MSc — Psychologist and founder of Barends Psychology Practice

Clinical experience:
11+ years treating trauma, personality disorders, and anxiety-related conditions

Approach:
Evidence-based therapies including CBT, schema therapy, and trauma-focused interventions

Reviewed against:
DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

Last updated:
April 2026

Important note about this BPD screening test

  • This is not a diagnosis. It is a screening tool to help you decide whether professional evaluation may be helpful.
  • Only a licensed clinician can diagnose BPD and distinguish it from conditions with overlapping symptoms (such as bipolar disorder, trauma-related conditions, or ADHD).
  • If you are in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact emergency services or a local crisis line.

What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by instability in emotions, relationships, self-image, and impulse control. Many people with BPD experience intense emotional reactions, rapid mood shifts, and a strong sensitivity to perceived rejection or abandonment.

Although fear of abandonment is often central, BPD involves a broader pattern of difficulties, including impulsive behavior, identity confusion, and challenges in maintaining stable relationships. These patterns are described in more detail on the BPD symptoms page, where you can explore how these experiences show up in daily life.

In response to emotional distress, some individuals may engage in behaviors such as self-harm, withdrawal, anger outbursts, or intense attempts to avoid rejection. While these reactions often come from a place of emotional pain, they can unintentionally strain relationships and reinforce feelings of loneliness, rejection, and self-doubt.

“In my clinical work, people with borderline personality patterns are often not struggling with ‘too much emotion’, but with emotions that feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and difficult to regulate. Many clients describe a constant tension between wanting closeness and fearing rejection, which can create intense and unstable relationship dynamics.”

— Niels Barends, MSc, psychologist at Barends Psychology Practice

Over time, this can create a repeating cycle of emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, and attempts to regain control. Understanding this pattern is an important first step toward breaking it and developing more stable ways of coping.

What to do after the test

If your results suggest significant borderline features, especially if relationships, mood stability, self-harm, or impulsivity are affecting your daily life, getting a professional assessment can make a major difference.


Schedule your initial session

 


 

The borderline personality disorder test

Welcome to the Borderline personality disorder test

I fear that my family, partner or friends abandon or betray me, even when no real threat exists.

I cannot stand being alone.

I get desperate and/or furious when my close ones leave me even for a short period of time.

My relationships with close ones are very emotional and troublesome.

In my relationship with close ones, at first I idealize them and later, when something goes wrong, I hate them. These extremes in my attitude to people interchange frequently.

People find me too demanding in relationships.

I've attempted to completely change the life I lead.

I have doubts about who I am and what the meaning of my life is.

I think I'm a bad, evil person.

When I'm driving a car, I cannot resist the urge to speed up and enjoy reckless driving.

At times I resort to binge eating.

At times I spend money recklessly.

I can't control myself when I'm gambling.

I engage in unsafe and inappropriate sexual contacts.

I'm fantasising about committing suicide.

When I have quarrels with my close ones I threat to kill myself.

When I'm very upset or angry, I hurt myself to calm down.

I have times when I feel very irritable for several hours.

I feel anxious for several hours.

I seek out new activities or experiences to occupy myself because I get bored easily.

I get desperate because I feel empty.

I get angry easily.

I feel that everyone and everything is against me.

I have the feeling that I'm not real.


 
 

Borderline test explanation

Borderline Personality Disorder Test – FAQ

Can this test diagnose Borderline Personality Disorder?

No. This quiz is a screening tool. A formal diagnosis requires a clinical interview by a licensed mental health professional.

What if my score is high?

A high score suggests that a professional assessment may be helpful, especially if you experience unstable relationships, intense emotional shifts, impulsivity, or urges toward self-harm.

Can BPD symptoms improve with therapy?

Often, yes. Many people experience greater stability and fewer crisis episodes with appropriate, evidence-based psychotherapy and consistent skill-building.

References

The information on this page is based on established clinical research and diagnostic frameworks for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), including evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches. To better understand your symptoms, you can also explore our BPD symptoms page.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
  • World Health Organization. (2019). International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
  • Gunderson, J. G. (2011). Borderline Personality Disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(21), 2037–2042.
  • Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Guilford Press.
  • Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2004). Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: Mentalization-Based Treatment. Oxford University Press.