Borderline Personality Disorder Screening Quiz

A brief self-report screening quiz for Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms, based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. It is inspired by brief screening instruments such as the McLean Screening Instrument (MSI-BPD) but is not the official 52-item instrument.

This 10-question screener can help you understand if you might benefit from a professional evaluation for BPD.

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What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by difficulties with emotion regulation, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. People with BPD often experience intense emotions, fear of abandonment, and impulsive behaviors.

The MSI-BPD was developed at McLean Hospital as a quick screening tool. A score of 7 or higher suggests the possibility of BPD and indicates the need for a more comprehensive clinical evaluation.

Common Symptoms of BPD

  • Fear of abandonment and frantic efforts to avoid it
  • Unstable and intense relationships
  • Unstable self-image or sense of self
  • Impulsive behaviors (spending, sex, substance use, reckless driving, binge eating)
  • Recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm
  • Intense mood swings lasting hours to days
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness
  • Intense, inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger
  • Stress-related paranoid thoughts or dissociative symptoms

Effective Treatments for BPD

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): The gold standard treatment for BPD
  • Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT): Helps understand your own and others' mental states
  • Schema-Focused Therapy: Addresses maladaptive patterns from childhood
  • Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP): Uses the therapeutic relationship to understand patterns
  • Good Psychiatric Management (GPM): Less intensive, accessible approach
  • Medications: May help with specific symptoms like depression, anxiety, or mood swings
Important Note: This test is for reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. BPD is a complex condition that requires comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.

References

  • Zanarini, M. C., Vujanovic, A. A., Parachini, E. A., Boulanger, J. L., Frankenburg, F. R., & Hennen, J. (2003). A screening measure for BPD: The McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD). Journal of Personality Disorders, 17(6), 568-573. 10.1521/pedi.17.6.568.25355
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Borderline Personality Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder

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