DSM in Pictures: Borderline Personality Disorder (Clinical)

A visual guide to the DSM criteria, made to share with your clients

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most stigmatized diagnoses in the manual, and people with BPD are often reduced to a list of symptoms. This resource takes a different starting point. Before the criteria, it asks why the behavior makes sense, naming the attachment trauma that so often sits at the heart of BPD.

DSM in Pictures: Borderline Personality Disorder walks through the diagnostic criteria visually, one criterion at a time. It translates the clinical language of the DSM into images and plain explanations, so the people you work with can see how BPD is defined, while holding the whole person rather than the diagnosis alone.

The Clinical Edition comes with a license that lets you bring it directly into your work. You can use it when explaining BPD to clients or walking through how they meet criteria.

What it is

A visual, image-forward guide to the DSM-5 criteria for borderline personality disorder, created by Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a neurodivergent clinical psychologist who builds visual resources.

What’s inside

- A “before symptoms, ask why” opening that situates BPD in attachment trauma and asks why the behavior makes sense, rather than leading with pathology
- An overview of BPD as a pervasive pattern of instability across self-image and emotions, relationships, and impulsivity
- All nine criteria explained visually, with five or more required for a diagnosis: abandonment reactions, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, self-damaging impulsivity, recurrent suicidal behavior and self-harm, emotional instability, chronic emptiness, intense anger, and stress-related paranoia or dissociation
- Context throughout on how many of these behaviors trace back to perceived rejection or abandonment, and the shame that often follows

Who it’s for

Clinicians, assessors, and coaches who want a clear, affirming, trauma-informed psychoeducation tool to use in session, and a way to demystify what goes into a BPD diagnosis without reducing a person to it.

It is especially useful for clients who process visually, who carry shame or fear around the BPD label, or who are meeting the diagnosis for the first time and need it held with care.

What the clinical license is for

The Clinical + Commercial License is built for use with your own clients. With it, you can:

Share PDF copies with your clients through secure, private links or email
Print copies for in-person sessions
Screen share during telehealth or coaching
Fold the resource into your ongoing clinical or coaching work

The license covers one provider. Group settings like therapy groups are fine. For group practices or multiple-provider licenses, you can reach the team at support@neurodivergentinsights.com.