Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Practice Exam

For a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) according to DSM-5, the presence of impairments in both personality and interpersonal functioning is essential. This means that individuals diagnosed with BPD experience significant difficulties in how they perceive themselves and their relationships with others, which can lead to unstable self-image and intense interpersonal conflicts.

The DSM-5 outlines that the criteria for BPD include specific impairments in personality functioning, such as identity disturbance and an unstable sense of self, alongside interpersonal dysfunction, characterized by intense and unstable relationships. This combination of impairments highlights the complexity of the disorder, where the individual's emotional responses and relationship dynamics are deeply interconnected.

In the context of the other options, impairments only in interpersonal functioning would not encompass the full scope of difficulties faced by individuals with BPD, as personality functioning issues are also critical. Similarly, focusing solely on personality functioning ignores the relational aspect of BPD, which is crucial for understanding how the disorder manifests. Lastly, stating that no impairments are needed contradicts the foundational criteria set forth in the DSM-5 for any personality disorder diagnosis. Thus, the requirement for both types of impairments establishes a more comprehensive understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder.