Borderline Personality Disorder: Which statement is NOT typical?

• A. Intense fear of abandonment
• B. Steady, calm affect
• C. Mood swings
• D. Impulsive behavior

Answer: (B)

Borderline Personality Disorder is defined by emotional dysregulation and affective instability, meaning emotions swing quickly and intensely. Fear of abandonment fits this pattern because individuals are highly sensitive to perceived rejection and may react strongly. Mood swings are another hallmark, with rapid shifts in mood over hours or days. Impulsive behavior often arises as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or the fear of being abandoned. A steady, calm affect, however, does not align with the characteristic volatility of this disorder. That makes the statement describing a calm, even-keeled affect not typical.