Evidence-Based Practice Project

Borderline Personality Disorder (301.83)

General Description

Diagnostic Criteria

Etiology

Prevalence

EBP Treatment Approaches

References

Links

Fact Sheets


 

 

General Description

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.

 

Several of the characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder is emotional instability, with association with, the patient's own self-image, aims, and internal preferences (including sexual) are often unclear or disturbed. There are usually chronic feelings of emptiness. A liability to become involved in intense and unstable relationships may cause repeated emotional crises and may be associated with excessive efforts to avoid abandonment and a series of suicidal threats or acts of self-harm (although these may occur without obvious precipitants).

 

 

Diagnostic Criteria
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.

 

A person can be considered to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder if they have problems in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and are impulsive since early adulthood demonstrated by at least five of the following symptoms:

 

  1. Anxious efforts to avoid real or made-up abandonment.
  2. A frequent occurrence of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships which alternate between idealization and devaluation.
  3. Unstable self-image or confusion about sense of self.
  4. Exhibiting at least two areas that may cause potential self damage such as reckless driving or binge eating.
  5. Often demonstrates has suicidal behavior or self-mutilates.
  6. Dramatic changes in mood, such as irritability or anxiety lasting a few hours or during some episodes a few days.
  7. A feeling of emptiness.
  8. Difficult time controlling anger.
  9. Stress related paranoid ideations.

 

 

Etiology
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.

 

Borderline Personality Disorder is five times more common among first-degree biological relatives when compare to the general population. Of the cases of BPD diagnosed, 75% of those cases are women.

 

 

Prevalence

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.

 

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is estimated to effect about 2% of the general population. It affects about 10% of the people in outpatient mental health clinics and 20% of psychiatric inpatients. Of the clinical population with personalities disorders BPD is estimated to affect 30%-60% of the population.

 

 

EBP Treatment Approaches

 

Listed below are either evidence-based practices or promising practices that have been successful at treating Borderline Personality Disorder.

 

Psychosocial Treatments

  • Dialetical Behavior Therapy

Miller, A. L.; Glinski, J.; Woodberry, K. A.; Mitchell, A. G.; Indik, J. (2002). Family therapy and dialectical behavior therapy with adolescents: part I: proposing a clinical synthesis. American Journal of Psychotherapy,56 (4), 568-585.

Note - Full text is available through the University at Buffalo Libraries.

 

 

References

 

Woodberry, K. A.; Miller, A.L.; Glinski, J.; Indik, J.; Mitchell, A.G. (2002). Family therapy and Dialetical Behavior Therapy with adolescents: part II: a theoretical review. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 56 (4); 585-603.

Note - Full text is available through the University at Buffalo Libraries.

 

 

Links

BPD Central

The Borderline Sanctuary

Yahoo's Personality Disorders Links

 

 

Fact Sheets

 

Fact Sheets from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Note - Click on topic. (Please note disclaimer).
The AACAP developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
The AACAP website includes facts, statistics, and overviews of different problems children and adolescents face and different mental health disorders that affect children and adolescents.

 

Fact Sheets from the National Institute of Mental Health
Note - Click on "select a topic".
NIMH offers a variety of publications and other educational resources to help people with mental health disorders, the general public, mental health and health care practitioners, and researchers gain a better understanding of mental illnesses and the research programs of the NIMH.
This website includes facts, statistics, pamphlets, checklists, and overviews of mental health disorders.

 

Fact Sheets from the National Mental Health Association
Note - Click on topic.
The NMHA offers answers to frequently asked questions, facts, statistics and overviews about different mental health disorders, as well as information about treatments and other problems that affect children and adolescents.

 

 Page Updated on 03/31/08