Borderline Mother Test

Growing up with a mother who has intense emotional swings, unpredictable behaviors, or trouble maintaining stable relationships can be confusing and painful to say the least.

If you've often felt like you were walking on eggshells at home, unsure of how to navigate your mom's moods, or struggling to understand her actions, you're not alone. These can be signs that your mother may have borderline personality disorder (BPD), and many people have similar experiences.

In this post, our goal is to help you explore and understand these complex family dynamics. Our quiz can act as a tool to help you reflect on your experiences and see if they align with the typical patterns of a borderline mother.

Regardless of the quiz results, know that your feelings are valid. We'll offer resources for professional support that can be useful regardless of whether you may have a  mother with BPD.

How accurate is this quiz?

At Best Therapists, we believe that online mental health quizzes can be an excellent first step towards improving our mental health. Quizzes like this one can educate you and provide opportunities for self-reflection, but note that they are not a substitute for professional assessments and diagnoses.

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Your privacy is important to us, so all results are completely anonymous and no email is required.

Example situations with a borderline mother

• Sarah calls her mother to share news about a job promotion. Initially, her mother is ecstatic, showering Sarah with praise. However, when Sarah mentions she'll need to work longer hours, her mother's mood suddenly shifts. She accuses Sarah of abandoning her and claims Sarah's success is making her feel like a failure. The conversation ends with her mother threatening to cut off contact, leaving Sarah feeling confused and guilty about her achievement.
• Mike is having dinner with his mother. The meal starts pleasantly, but when Mike disagrees with her opinion on a minor issue, his mother becomes intensely angry. She brings up mistakes from Mike's past, calls him ungrateful, and storms out of the restaurant. An hour later, she calls Mike in tears, apologizing profusely and begging him not to leave her. Mike feels emotionally drained and unsure how to respond.
• Emma is planning her wedding and asks her mother for help. At first, her mother is overjoyed and takes control of every detail. However, when Emma gently suggests a different flower arrangement, her mother becomes deeply offended. She accuses Emma of not appreciating her efforts and switches between crying that she's a terrible mother and angrily claiming Emma is ruining the wedding. Emma finds herself walking on eggshells, trying to manage her mother's emotions instead of enjoying her engagement.

Disclaimer: These examples are fictional scenarios created for illustrative and informational purposes only. They do not represent real individuals but are designed to depict typical experiences of people with mothers who may have Borderline Personality Disorder. These examples should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you have concerns about your own experiences, please consult with a qualified mental health professional.