Diseases & Conditions >
This topic is from The 5-Minute Clinical Consult About our sources

Borderline Personality Disorder Updated 4/2011

Email       Print Section  |  Print Topic       Add to My Favorites

BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS

Description

Beginning no later than adolescence or early adulthood, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a consistent and pervasive pattern of an unstable affect and sense of self, impulsivity, and volatile interpersonal relationships (1):

  • Common behaviors and variations:
    • Self-mutilation (pinching, scratching, cutting)
    • Suicide (ideation, history of attempts, plans)
    • Splitting (idealizing then devaluing people and relationships)
    • Presentation of helplessness or victimization
    • Emotional pain (may look for physical diagnoses)
    • May be high utilizer of medical services
    • High rate of associated mental disorders (see Associated Conditions)
  • Patients with this disorder typically display little insight into their behavior.

ALERT: Geriatric Considerations
  • Illness (both acute and chronic) may exacerbate BPD behaviors and may lead to intense feelings of fear and helplessness. Manifestations may decrease ...

You must be logged in to fully access this content.

View a sample algorithm for "Anemia"
Sign In
Forgot your password?
Sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 30-Day FREE Trial now and receive access to all content.

Start free trial!
Take a tour of 5MinuteConsult.com
Subscribe now to 5MinuteConsult

Have a book code?

Submit your book code to create your FREE standard account.