Marriage and Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can significantly impact close relationships, including marriage. Marriages where one or both partners have BPD are often characterized by turbulence, conflict, and dysfunction.

Borderline Personality Marriage Statistics

Marriage Rates:

• Approximately 60% of individuals with BPD are married, which is lower than the general population's 85% marriage rate by age 40.

Divorce Rates:

• Divorce rates among people with BPD are comparable to the general population, around 35%.

Remarriage Rates:

• After divorce, only 10% of individuals with BPD remarry by age 40, which is significantly lower than the national remarriage rate.

Marriage Quality:

• Studies have shown a correlation between the severity of BPD symptoms and the level of chaos and instability in a marriage.

BPD and Non-BPD Partner:

• The quality of the marriage can be heavily influenced by the personality of the non-BPD partner.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that divorce rates are not as high as one might expect, marriages involving a BPD partner can be stressful and challenging.

Marriage or Family Therapy:

• In addition to treatment for the BPD partner, marital or family therapy can be beneficial in improving the overall health of the relationship.