Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, risk-taking, and unstable interpersonal relationships. It is more prevalent than previously thought, making it a significant public health issue. Unlike many psychiatric disorders, some BPD symptoms may improve over time without treatment, though social and interpersonal difficulties often persist. A key question is why depressive symptoms and risk-taking behaviors co-occur in BPD. There is also debate about BPD's nosological position, impacting research on sex differences and comorbidity. This review argues that many BPD features can be understood through an evolutionary framework, specifically behavioral ecology. According to Life History Theory (LHT), BPD reflects a pathological extreme of a behavioral strategy aimed at immediate resource exploitation, shaped by early developmental experiences. This view aligns with standard medical conceptualizations but extends beyond traditional deficit models, with implications for therapy. BPD is often comorbid with other disorders, including depression, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is associated with early adversity, trauma, and abuse, which shape expectations about future resource availability. BPD is linked to a 'fast' life history strategy (LHS), characterized by early maturation, risk-taking, and unstable relationships. This is supported by evidence of heightened stress responsivity, impulsivity, and difficulty in maintaining trust. Personality traits of BPD, such as high novelty seeking and low agreeableness, align with a fast LHS. Research suggests that BPD patients may have higher levels of Machiavellianism and lower levels of empathy. Neuroimaging studies show alterations in brain regions related to stress regulation and emotion processing, which may reflect adaptations to early adversity. Genetic factors contribute to BPD, though the exact mechanisms are unclear. Some genetic variations may confer differential susceptibility to environmental influences, with implications for BPD's development. Comorbid conditions like ADHD and eating disorders are also associated with a fast LHS. From a public health perspective, understanding BPD through an evolutionary lens may inform therapeutic approaches, emphasizing adaptive strategies rather than deficits. This perspective highlights the importance of environmental context in shaping BPD and suggests that therapeutic interventions should consider the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Future research should explore the relationship between BPD and reproductive outcomes, as well as the role of evolutionary principles in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, risk-taking, and unstable interpersonal relationships. It is more prevalent than previously thought, making it a significant public health issue. Unlike many psychiatric disorders, some BPD symptoms may improve over time without treatment, though social and interpersonal difficulties often persist. A key question is why depressive symptoms and risk-taking behaviors co-occur in BPD. There is also debate about BPD's nosological position, impacting research on sex differences and comorbidity. This review argues that many BPD features can be understood through an evolutionary framework, specifically behavioral ecology. According to Life History Theory (LHT), BPD reflects a pathological extreme of a behavioral strategy aimed at immediate resource exploitation, shaped by early developmental experiences. This view aligns with standard medical conceptualizations but extends beyond traditional deficit models, with implications for therapy. BPD is often comorbid with other disorders, including depression, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is associated with early adversity, trauma, and abuse, which shape expectations about future resource availability. BPD is linked to a 'fast' life history strategy (LHS), characterized by early maturation, risk-taking, and unstable relationships. This is supported by evidence of heightened stress responsivity, impulsivity, and difficulty in maintaining trust. Personality traits of BPD, such as high novelty seeking and low agreeableness, align with a fast LHS. Research suggests that BPD patients may have higher levels of Machiavellianism and lower levels of empathy. Neuroimaging studies show alterations in brain regions related to stress regulation and emotion processing, which may reflect adaptations to early adversity. Genetic factors contribute to BPD, though the exact mechanisms are unclear. Some genetic variations may confer differential susceptibility to environmental influences, with implications for BPD's development. Comorbid conditions like ADHD and eating disorders are also associated with a fast LHS. From a public health perspective, understanding BPD through an evolutionary lens may inform therapeutic approaches, emphasizing adaptive strategies rather than deficits. This perspective highlights the importance of environmental context in shaping BPD and suggests that therapeutic interventions should consider the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Future research should explore the relationship between BPD and reproductive outcomes, as well as the role of evolutionary principles in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.