BPD must have different presentations, but with similarities. I see this in people with AS, even though they have different personalities, backgrounds. The same type of reasoning has to apply to BPD.

In the past the DSM focused on criteria not backed by research. The 5 out of 9 was arbitrary.

Now, the DSM-V focuses more on core traits:

A. Personality functioning: 1. Impairments in self-functioning: identity and self-direction and 2. Impairments in interpersonal functioning: empathy and intimacy; and

B. Pathological personality traits: 1. Negative affectivity: emotional liability, anxiousness, separation insecurity and depressivity and 2. Disinhibition: impulsivity and risk taking; and finally 3. Antagonism: hostility.

In the past, one could get the diagnosis without having all the core traits.

DSM IV and V personality disorders comparison: http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Person...s%205-1-12.pdf