Do I Have BPD or CPTSD Test

Struggling with intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or feeling like you're constantly on edge? If you're wondering whether these experiences are tied to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Complex PTSD (CPTSD), you're not alone.

Both BPD and CPTSD can stem from past trauma, and their symptoms can overlap, making it hard to identify which one better explains your experiences.

We created this quick, simple test to bring you closer to the answers you've been looking for. Hopefully, this can provide you with a helpful first step toward self-awareness and healing.

This quiz is designed to help you reflect on your experiences and emotions, but remember, it's not a substitute for professional diagnosis. 

Regardless of what your results say, your feelings are valid, and you're not alone in this journey. Let's explore together some of the signs that might point towards BPD or CPTSD, keeping in mind that seeking professional help is the best way to receive accurate guidance and support.

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.

Example scenarios of BPD

• The Volatile Romantic: Samantha, 25, has a pattern of intense but unstable romantic relationships. When she starts dating someone new, she quickly becomes infatuated, seeing her partner as perfect and the relationship as destined. She might text constantly and want to spend every moment together. However, if her partner doesn't respond quickly enough or needs some space, Samantha's mood can shift dramatically. She might become convinced they're about to leave her, leading to frantic attempts to prevent abandonment - calling repeatedly, making threats of self-harm, or engaging in risky behaviors to get attention. These intense emotions and behaviors often push partners away, confirming Samantha's fears and perpetuating the cycle.
• The Chameleon Friend: Alex, 32, struggles with an unstable sense of self. Among different friend groups, Alex's personality seems to shift dramatically. With artistic friends, Alex is passionate about art and expresses disdain for "sellouts" with corporate jobs. But around successful business colleagues, Alex talks enthusiastically about career ambitions and looks down on "starving artists." These aren't conscious acts; Alex genuinely feels different identities in different contexts. This leaves Alex feeling empty and unsure of who they truly are. When alone, Alex often feels a gnawing emptiness and engages in impulsive shopping or binge eating to fill the void.
• The Emotional Rollercoaster: Mark, 40, experiences intense and rapidly shifting emotions. At work, a small criticism from his boss can send him into a spiral of self-loathing, feeling worthless and contemplating quitting. An hour later, after a compliment from a coworker, he might feel elated and invincible. These mood swings are exhausting and confusing for Mark and those around him. He often lashes out in anger, then feels intense shame and fear that he's driven people away. To cope with these overwhelming emotions, Mark sometimes engages in self-harm, finding temporary relief in physical pain. Despite these struggles, Mark maintains his job, though his personal relationships are often strained.

In each case, the individuals struggle with intense emotions, fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, and impulsive behaviors characteristic of BPD. These experiences significantly impact their relationships and sense of self, even if they're able to maintain some areas of functionality in their lives. It's important to note that with proper treatment, many people with BPD can learn to manage their symptoms effectively and lead fulfilling lives.

Example scenarios of CPTSD

• The Hypervigilant Professional: Emma, 38, is a successful lawyer who grew up in an abusive household. While she excels at work, she struggles with constant hypervigilance. In meetings, she's always on edge, interpreting colleagues' neutral expressions as potential threats. Emma has difficulty forming close relationships, fearing that others will hurt her if she lets her guard down. She experiences frequent flashbacks of childhood abuse, which she manages to hide at work but leave her exhausted. Emma often feels a deep sense of shame and believes she's fundamentally flawed, despite her professional achievements. She struggles with emotional regulation, sometimes becoming overwhelmed by feelings of anger or sadness that seem disproportionate to current situations.
• The Disconnected Parent: Michael, 45, is a father of two who experienced neglect and emotional abuse throughout his childhood. He loves his children but often feels emotionally numb and disconnected from them. Michael struggles with physical affection, finding it uncomfortable to hug his kids or show warmth. He has difficulty regulating his emotions, sometimes becoming irritable over minor issues, then feeling intense guilt about his reactions. Michael experiences frequent nightmares about his past and has trouble maintaining consistent sleep patterns. He often feels like he's "going through the motions" of life without truly engaging, and has a persistent feeling of being different or separate from others.
• The Anxious Achiever: Lena, 29, is a graduate student who grew up in a war-torn country before immigrating as a teenager. She excels academically but struggles with severe anxiety and a deep-seated belief that the world is unsafe. Lena has difficulty trusting others and maintaining relationships, often pushing people away before they can get too close. She experiences frequent flashbacks and becomes highly distressed by loud noises or unexpected changes. Lena struggles with a negative self-image, often feeling worthless despite her accomplishments. She has difficulty identifying and expressing her emotions, often feeling overwhelmed or shut down. To cope, Lena throws herself into her studies, using work as a way to avoid dealing with her traumatic memories and emotional pain.

In each of these cases, the individuals struggle with symptoms characteristic of CPTSD, including difficulties with emotional regulation, maintaining relationships, negative self-concept, and altered perceptions of the world or perpetrators. They also experience symptoms similar to PTSD, such as flashbacks and hypervigilance. These experiences significantly impact their daily lives and relationships, even if they're able to maintain functionality in certain areas.

It's important to note that with appropriate treatment, individuals with CPTSD can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Treatment often involves therapy approaches specifically designed for complex trauma.