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The diagnosis and treatment for borderline personality disorder can be a long and drawn out process. In order to diagnose this mental disorder the individual must exhibit at least 5 of the 9 symptoms that the DSM lists for this psychiatric disorder. Each individual with this condition may display different signs and each case is different and unique. The fact that some of the BPD symptoms are also seen in other forms of mental illness can also complicate the diagnosis and treatment. A thorough patient interview and history is completed, and then an accurate diagnosis can be made in each case. The mental health professional must evaluate all of the signs and symptoms displayed, and then rule out other mental disorders which could be causing these symptoms.

The diagnosis and treatment of borderline personality disorder is not an easy task. Once the disorder is accurately diagnosed a treatment plan must be devised that will be highly effective for the individual being treated. Treating BPD usually involves at least one of the 3 main treatment types. Psychotherapy, medication, and hospitalization are the 3 main types of treatment that may be provided. Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, schema focused therapy, mentalization based therapy, transference focused psychotherapy, and Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving or STEPPS. Medications for borderline personality disorder can include anti anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. These medications only work to treat the symptoms of the mental disorder, they do not treat the BPD itself. Hospitalization is normally used as a last resort, and this is usually only used for a short term to get the mental disorder under control and provide a stable and structured environment for the individual during this period.