Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is deeply misunderstood, heavily stigmatized, and far more complex than just "being emotional". In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down the official BPD diagnostic criteria from the DSM, explaining how BPD symptoms actually present in real life, therapy offices, and everyday relationships. She explores the underlying fear of abandonment, idealization and devaluation (splitting), identity disturbances, and why BPD so frequently overlaps with PTSD, trauma, and ADHD. Plus, discover actionable evidence-based BPD treatment options like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) to help manage emotional dysregulation, navigate relationship boundaries, and work toward long-term remission.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
01:00 - Why "Personality Disorder" is a Misleading Term
01:55 - How BPD is Diagnosed: DSM Criteria Overview
02:55 - BPD Symptom 1: Fear of Abandonment & Attachment Styles
04:45 - BPD Symptom 2: Splitting, Idealization & Devaluation
07:25 - BPD Symptom 3: Identity Disturbance & Chronic Emptiness
08:31 - BPD Symptom 4: Impulsivity in Daily Life
12:05 - BPD Symptom 5: Recurrent Suicidal Behavior & Self-Harm
16:05 - BPD Symptom 6: Affective Instability (BPD vs Bipolar Disorder)
18:18 - BPD Symptom 7: Chronic Feelings of Emptiness
19:22 - BPD Symptom 8: Inappropriate, Intense Anger
21:53 - BPD Symptom 9: Stress-Related Paranoia & Dissociation
25:14 - Is it BPD or Just Being Emotional?
26:46 - What Does Having "BPD Traits" Mean?
28:49 - BPD vs. Anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD Overlaps
33:25 - The Deep Link Between Childhood Trauma and BPD
40:21 - Why People with BPD Push Loved Ones Away
41:35 - What is Quiet BPD?
43:33 - Can You Have a Healthy Relationship with BPD?
47:53 - Setting Healthy Boundaries Without Triggering Abandonment
53:05 - Can BPD be Cured? Understanding BPD Remission
56:23 - BPD Treatment: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Explained
01:04:33 - Alternative Therapies: MBT, Schema Therapy, & TFP
01:08:30 - The Role of Medication in BPD Treatment
PTSD & BPD study I mentioned: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4209725
Next week's episode:
Narcissism Needs 5 Of These 9 Signs youtu.be/8o36OLLaOWM
My main YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/katimorton?sub_confirmation=1
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-kati-anything/id1502476673
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7itqbvflj0Q9IUDqOF5NST
Instagram: instagram.com/katimorton
MY BOOKS
Why Do I Keep Doing This? geni.us/XoyLSQ
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY - Enjoy 10% OFF your first month
If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: betterhelp.com/kati This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#mentalhealth #therapist #borderline
Ask Kati Anything ep.326 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is deeply misunderstood, heavily stigmatized, and far more complex than just "being emotional". In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down the official BPD diagnostic criteria from the DSM, explaining how BPD symptoms actually present in real life, therapy offices, and everyday relationships. She explores the underlying fear of abandonment, idealization and devaluation (splitting), identity disturbances, and why BPD so frequently overlaps with PTSD, trauma, and ADHD. Plus, discover actionable evidence-based BPD treatment options like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) to help manage emotional dysregulation, navigate relationship boundaries, and work toward long-term remission.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
01:00 - Why "Personality Disorder" is a Misleading Term
01:55 - How BPD is Diagnosed: DSM Criteria Overview
02:55 - BPD Symptom 1: Fear of Abandonment & Attachment Styles
04:45 - BPD Symptom 2: Splitting, Idealization & Devaluation
07:25 - BPD Symptom 3: Identity Disturbance & Chronic Emptiness
08:31 - BPD Symptom 4: Impulsivity in Daily Life
12:05 - BPD Symptom 5: Recurrent Suicidal Behavior & Self-Harm
16:05 - BPD Symptom 6: Affective Instability (BPD vs Bipolar Disorder)
18:18 - BPD Symptom 7: Chronic Feelings of Emptiness
19:22 - BPD Symptom 8: Inappropriate, Intense Anger
21:53 - BPD Symptom 9: Stress-Related Paranoia & Dissociation
25:14 - Is it BPD or Just Being Emotional?
26:46 - What Does Having "BPD Traits" Mean?
28:49 - BPD vs. Anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD Overlaps
33:25 - The Deep Link Between Childhood Trauma and BPD
40:21 - Why People with BPD Push Loved Ones Away
41:35 - What is Quiet BPD?
43:33 - Can You Have a Healthy Relationship with BPD?
47:53 - Setting Healthy Boundaries Without Triggering Abandonment
53:05 - Can BPD be Cured? Understanding BPD Remission
56:23 - BPD Treatment: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Explained
01:04:33 - Alternative Therapies: MBT, Schema Therapy, & TFP
01:08:30 - The Role of Medication in BPD Treatment
PTSD & BPD study I mentioned: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4209725
Next week's episode:
Narcissism Needs 5 Of These 9 Signs youtu.be/8o36OLLaOWM
My main YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/katimorton?sub_confirmation=1
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-kati-anything/id1502476673
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7itqbvflj0Q9IUDqOF5NST
Instagram: instagram.com/katimorton
MY BOOKS
Why Do I Keep Doing This? geni.us/XoyLSQ
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY - Enjoy 10% OFF your first month
If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: betterhelp.com/kati This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#mentalhealth #therapist #borderline
Ask Kati Anything ep.326 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
