A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder often exhibits which behavior?

Individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) typically exhibit extreme emotional responses. This characteristic is a hallmark of the disorder, leading to intense mood swings that can shift rapidly. These emotional fluctuations often make interpersonal relationships challenging as individuals may have difficulty controlling their emotions, resulting in feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and anxiety.

Extreme emotional responses can manifest in various situations, prompting reactions that may seem disproportionate to the triggering event. This can lead to impulsive behaviors, strained relationships, and a persistent fear of abandonment. The emotional instability inherent in BPD is key in understanding how the disorder impacts daily functioning and interpersonal dynamics.

In contrast, stable interpersonal relationships and complacency towards routine are not representative traits associated with BPD. Dependence on others can occur in some contexts, but it is typically linked with a fear of abandonment rather than an overall stable reliance on others, which complicates the emotional landscape for the individual. Thus, the extreme emotional responses observed in BPD are central to its diagnosis and significantly influence the individual's interactions and experiences.