Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder

This article refers to the International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) which is the official classification system for mental health professionals working in NHS clinical practice. The literature occasionally refers to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classification system which whilst used in clinical practice in the USA is primarily used for research purposes elsewhere. Emotionally unstable personality disorder is one of ten personality disorders defined in the ICD-10 classification system. It is called borderline personality disorder in the DSM-IV and DSM-5 classification system and is still sometimes referred to as such by professionals in the UK. For more information, see separate Personality Disorders and Psychopathy article. Emotionally unstable personality disorder is characterised by pervasive instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and mood and impulsive behaviour. The term 'borderline' is perhaps misleading, as it implies that patients 'almost have a personality' disorder. In fact it is an established category of personality disorder in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM 4th edition (DSM-IV) classification and in DSM fifth edition (DSM-5) classification.