A young woman with self-mutilation and unstable relationships may likely be diagnosed with which of the following?

The presence of self-mutilation and unstable relationships is highly indicative of borderline personality disorder. This condition is characterized by intense emotional instability, difficulty managing relationships, fear of abandonment, and often impulsive behaviors, including self-harming actions. Individuals with borderline personality disorder may struggle to maintain a stable self-image and can experience rapid mood swings, making their relationships tumultuous and erratic.

Self-mutilation, or self-harming behavior, is often a coping mechanism used to deal with overwhelming emotional pain or distress, which is a common experience for those with this disorder. The instability in relationships often stems from an intense fear of abandonment and a pattern of idealizing and devaluing others, which can lead to conflicts and further emotional turmoil.

The other options do not align as closely with the symptoms presented. Anxiety disorders typically involve excessive worry and fear but do not inherently include self-harm or the relational instability characteristic of borderline personality disorder. Histrionic personality disorder is marked by excessive attention-seeking behavior and emotionality, but it doesn't typically feature self-mutilation as a primary symptom. Paranoid personality disorder focuses on distrust and suspicion of others, which does not connect directly to self-harming behaviors or unstable relationships in the same way. Thus, borderline