BPD Assessment: Private Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis for Adults
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) – also referred to as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) in many UK services – is a mental health condition that affects how you experience emotions, relate to others, and view yourself. It often involves intense emotional responses, a fear of abandonment, and a sense of identity that can feel unstable.¹,²
A BPD assessment is used to determine whether your experiences are consistent with borderline personality disorder, while also considering other explanations, such as Complex PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or autism. A private BPD diagnosis can help you make sense of long-standing patterns and feel clearer about the next steps. Assessments are available in person in London and online for adults across the UK.
The Benefits of Getting a BPD Assessment
There are several benefits to being assessed for BPD as an adult.
A BPD assessment may help you…³,⁴
01
- Make sense of long-standing emotional patterns that have felt confusing or overwhelming
02
- Feel a sense of validation, particularly if you’ve been told your reactions are 'too much' or 'too sensitive'
03
- Access recognised, evidence-based treatments such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT), or Schema Therapy
04
- Develop a clearer understanding of how trauma and early experiences may have shaped how you relate to yourself and others
05
- Provide support for workplace adjustments, such as flexible hours or time off for treatment
06
- Build confidence in identifying your strengths as well as the areas you’d like support with
07
- Plan a path forward with structured, specialist support rather than continuing to manage alone
What a Private BPD Assessment Involves
As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, I assess and diagnose borderline personality disorder in adults, with assessments available in person in London and online across the UK. To help you better understand the process, I’ve outlined the criteria I consider and the process I follow below.
Diagnosis Criteria
BPD assessments follow established guidelines, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which are used by psychologists and psychiatrists worldwide. ICD-11 now uses a dimensional model of personality disorder with a ‘borderline pattern’ qualifier, while DSM-5 continues to list BPD as a distinct diagnosis.⁵,⁶
To meet the criteria for BPD, symptoms typically include several of the following:
- Intense fear of abandonment, real or imagined
- A pattern of unstable or intense relationships, often shifting between idealising and devaluing others
- An unstable sense of self or identity
- Impulsive behaviours that may feel self-damaging, such as spending, substance use, or risky decisions
- Recurrent self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or behaviours
- Strong emotional reactions that change quickly and feel hard to manage
- Persistent feelings of emptiness
- Intense anger, or difficulty managing anger
- Stress-related paranoia or feelings of disconnection from yourself or your surroundings
Symptoms must also have been present across different areas of life over a sustained period, significantly affect daily functioning, and not be better explained by another condition.
What Happens During an Assessment?
- During the assessment, I will ask a range of questions to understand your experiences and whether they align with BPD. This often includes your medical and mental health history, key relationships, work and home life, early experiences, and how you experience and manage emotions day to day.
- I use validated clinical tools alongside the conversation to help build an accurate picture, and consider whether other conditions – such as Complex PTSD, ADHD, autism, or bipolar disorder – may better explain what you’ve been experiencing. There can be significant overlap between these, which is why a careful, thorough assessment matters.²
- There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. The assessment is there to make sense of your experiences. If a diagnosis is made, I will talk you through what this means in practical terms, including the type of treatment that may help and the next steps available to you.
Book a Private BPD Assessment in London
If you suspect that you may have BPD, you are welcome to get in touch. I am a HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have specialist training and experience in personality disorder assessment and trauma-informed care, and have worked across NHS services, private clinics, and academic settings.
What this means for you:
- Your assessment is conducted to the highest clinical standards, in line with NICE guidance on borderline personality disordersment follows recognised clinical standards, so you can feel confident in the process
- Every step of the process is informed by research and best practice, ensuring accuracy and reliability
- Results are interpreted in a way that is meaningful and actionable, helping you understand your experiences and access tailored support
- You can choose between in-person appointments in central London or secure online sessions, depending on what feels most comfortable
Contact me to arrange an assessment or to ask any questions you have about the BPD assessment process.
FAQs About BPD Assessment
It’s natural to have questions about being assessed for BPD. Below, I’ve answered some of the most common queries I receive about borderline personality disorder assessments.
BPD assessments are carried out by appropriately trained mental health professionals, such as clinical or counselling psychologists and psychiatrists.⁷ As a psychologist trained in personality disorder assessment, please reach out to me if you are searching for a private BPD assessment for adults in London or online.
BPD and EUPD refer to the same condition. BPD (borderline personality disorder) is the term used in DSM-5 and is more common internationally, while EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) was the term used in ICD-10 and is still seen in many UK services. ICD-11 has moved to a dimensional model and now describes a ‘borderline pattern’ rather than a separate disorder.⁵,⁶
Yes. BPD assessments can be completed online via secure video sessions, which can make accessing assessment more manageable around work, family life, or travel. In-person appointments in London are also available.
Possibly. Conditions such as Complex PTSD, ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder can share features with BPD, and people sometimes experience more than one. A thorough assessment is designed to consider these alternatives carefully, so the picture you leave with reflects what’s actually going on – not just the most obvious label.
Some of the key signs of BPD include:¹,²
- Strong, fast-changing emotions that feel hard to manage
- A deep fear of being left, rejected, or abandoned
- Relationships that swing between feeling very close and very distant
- An unstable sense of who you are or what you want
- Impulsive behaviours that you often regret afterwards
- Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or chronic feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
- Times when stress leaves you feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings