Borderline Personality Disorder In Relationships Worksheet

Relationships can be challenging when a partner is suffering from borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder affects a person’s sense of self-worth and ability to regulate their emotions, which can lead to behaviors that impact the quality of their relationships when left unaddressed.

People who suffer from borderline personality disorder often struggle to feel secure in their relationships. Challenges with emotional regulation, an insecure self-image, and fears of abandonment can lead to unhealthy cycles in relationships.

About This Worksheet

Understanding how borderline personality disorder affects relationships can help clients in therapy learn healthy ways to cope with how the condition contributes to their relationship issues. Both people who have the condition and who are in a relationship with someone with borderline personality disorder can use the Borderline Personality Disorder In Relationships Worksheet.

The Borderline Personality Disorder In Relationships worksheet provides a summary of common relationship experiences associated with borderline personality disorder. It can be used with adults participating in individual and couples counseling.

Instructions

Begin by explaining how symptoms of borderline personality disorder can contribute to relationship issues. Then, review the contents of the worksheet with the client or couple.

Instruct the client or couple to review the list of experiences of borderline personality disorder and complete the reflection questions. When they have completed the reflection questions, review their responses with them. Start a dialog by asking reflection questions, like:

• “What experiences on this worksheet stood out the most to you?”
• “What can we do in sessions to help you feel safe and supported?”

When the worksheet is completed, allow the client or couple to ask questions about borderline personality disorder and how it affects relationships.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.

Jeong, H., Jin, M. J., & Hyun, M. H. (2022). Understanding a Mutually Destructive Relationship Between Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder and Their Favorite Person. Psychiatry investigation, 19(12), 1069–1077.

Miano, A., Grosselli, L., Roepke, S., & Dziobek, I. (2017). Emotional dysregulation in borderline personality disorder and its influence on communication behavior and feelings in romantic relationships. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 95, 148–157.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024, January 31). Borderline personality disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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