What disorder involves a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image?

Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense emotions and have difficulty in maintaining stable relationships due to their fluctuating feelings about themselves and others.

The instability in self-image often leads to rapid changes in how they view themselves, which can result in feelings of emptiness or identity disturbance. This disorder may also manifest in impulsive behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and sometimes self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Understanding these hallmark features is crucial. While other personality disorders mentioned, such as Histrionic, Schizotypal, and Dependent Personality Disorders, have their own specific characteristics, they do not encapsulate the intense and pervasive instability seen in Borderline Personality Disorder. For instance, Histrionic Personality Disorder is marked more by attention-seeking behaviors, Schizotypal involves eccentricities and cognitive distortions, and Dependent Personality Disorder is characterized by excessive reliance on others for emotional support. These distinctions highlight why Borderline Personality Disorder is the most fitting answer for a disorder defined by instability in relationships and self-image.