Can an 18 yo have bpd?
My cousin has said she's been diagnosed with bpd, she's 18 years old. Considering Bpd traits are likened to be like that of a teenager, is it possible for a teenager to have bpd?
@Compturquoise774 I'm not an expert on this, but I've read about it from time to time. It seems the experts disagree on it to some extent.
In the official guide, known as DSM-5, BPD is not just a collection of traits. There are about three pages of criteria before you get to the list of nine traits. I think some experts won't diagnose BPD unless someone meets the criteria in those three pages first, and it's only then that they consider the nine traits. I think other experts are happy to skip the three pages and diagnose as if the nine traits are the only thing worth considering.
On the matter of age, DSM-5 says "the particular personality features must be evident by early adulthood", and, "The features of a personality disorder usually become recognizable during adolescence or early adult life." So yes, an 18 year old can have BPD. But I think some experts agree with you, and are reluctant to diagnose BPD if they feel someone's personality isn't fully developed yet.
From a practical point of view, there are treatments such as DBT that mainly address the traits (as far as I can tell). This means that a trait-based diagnosis of BPD could be useful as a way to access treatment, even for someone whose traits are merely a reflection of being a teenager.
Charlie