Why is BPD Called an “Axis II” Disorder?
Why is BPD Called an “Axis II” Disorder? Why have I heard BPD called an “Axis II” disorder? What does “Axis II” mean?Answer: In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the official guidebook for diagnosing psychological disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, diagnoses can be made on five different levels. Each level is called an “axis.” On the first level, or axis, major mental disorders that are considered to be “clinical disorders” are diagnosed. These are the disorders that most people think of when they think of psychological conditions (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). On the second axis, disorders that are long-standing are diagnosed. This is the level where personality disorders are diagnosed, and it is the reason they are often called “Axis II” disorders. This system of separating out personality disorders on to a separate axis was deve
