A borderline personality disorder test is used to diagnose the disorder, which is characterized by mood swings and behavioral extremes. The most common test is the Borderline Patient Diagnostic Interview, but diagnosis can be difficult due to vague symptoms and similarities with other personality disorders.
A borderline personality disorder test is an evaluation used to diagnose borderline personality disorder. This personality disorder is classified as a dramatic personality disorder, along with the antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic personality types. The borderline personality disorder test is based on criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, and is usually administered by a mental health professional. Each test usually consists of a series of “yes” or “no” questions, or a series of statements with which the patient may agree or disagree. If the patient’s responses indicate five or more borderline personality symptoms, then he can be diagnosed accordingly.
Borderline personality disorder gets its name because it was once believed that people with it were borderline psychotic. In reality, the disorder is much more similar to bipolar disorder, as it is characterized by drastic mood swings and behavioral extremes. Some typical symptoms that healthcare professionals look for when diagnosing the disorder include moodiness, brief but extreme episodes of depression or anxiety, risk-taking and impulsiveness, inappropriate emotional reactions or difficulty controlling emotional responses, and a deep-seated, often irrational, fear of being Alone.
The most commonly administered borderline personality disorder test is called the Borderline Patient Diagnostic Interview (DIB-R). DIB-R tests focus on four categories: affects, cognition, impulsive action patterns, and interpersonal relationships. The affective portion of the test assesses emotional well-being, with a focus on the depression, anxiety, and feelings of self-loathing that are typical of the disorder. The questions in the cognition section are used to determine whether the patient has problems with perception, while the questions found in the impulsive action pattern section assess the patient’s willingness to take unnecessary risks and act impulsively. Interpersonal relationships are also evaluated to determine if the patient’s personal life is in constant upheaval.
In 1997, another test called the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-II) came into use. While DIB-R must be administered by a mental health professional, a patient can self-administer SCID-II. Another general personality disorder test, called the Personality Disorder Beliefs Questionnaire (PDBQ), is only a self-diagnosis tool. It is the shortest and least formal test, with some versions available online.
Unfortunately, borderline personality is one of the more difficult personality disorders to diagnose, and the results of a borderline personality disorder test may not be clear. This is because the disorder is often vaguely defined and shares many symptoms with other disorders found in the personality drama cluster. Additionally, some of the symptoms of the disorder, such as an ill-defined self-image, are often common among children and adolescents, so a borderline personality disorder test administered before adulthood will likely be inconclusive.
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