Even though manipulation is no longer considered a diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder, the misconception that people with BPD are manipulative still persists. Many behaviors exhibited by people with BPD that may seem manipulative are, in reality, a desperate attempt to regulate emotions and maintain relationships. The behaviors associated with BPD that are often considered manipulative are not driven by malice or a desire to hurt others, but rather by a fear of being abandoned and a need to control the environment. The mis-perception of BPD patients as manipulative can lead to stigma, discrimination, and difficulty in accessing appropriate treatment.