Which personality disorder is associated with a pattern of intense but unstable relationships and fears of abandonment?

• A. Avoidant personality disorder
• B. Histrionic personality disorder
• C. Borderline personality disorder
• D. Schizoid personality disorder

Answer: (C)

Patterns of intense but unstable relationships and fear of abandonment point to Borderline personality disorder. In this condition, relationships often swing between extremes—idealizing someone one moment and devaluing them the next—driven by a deep sensitivity to real or imagined rejection. The fear of being abandoned can lead to frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, such as clinging, desperation, or impulsive actions. This interpersonally volatile pattern is a defining feature and tends to produce significant impairments in functioning. By contrast, avoidant personality disorder centers on avoidance due to fear of negative evaluation rather than the push-pull, stormy relational dynamics; histrionic personality disorder involves attention-seeking dramatic behavior without the core pattern of feared abandonment driving unstable relationships; schizoid personality disorder is marked by detachment and a lack of interest in close relationships. The combination of instability in relationships and a pervasive fear of abandonment is the distinguishing feature of Borderline personality disorder.