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[Temperament and character in persons with borderline personality disorder]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald im Klinikum Stralsund. barnow@uni-greifswald.de
Der Nervenarzt
|September 28, 2004
Summary
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is linked to high comorbidity and suicidal ideation. Low self-directedness appears specific to BPD, suggesting therapy should focus on skills and maturation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Disorders
Background:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by high comorbidity, suicidal ideation, and distinct temperament and character traits.
- Understanding these facets is crucial for effective BPD treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific characteristics of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in terms of comorbidity, suicidality, and temperament/character dimensions.
- To compare individuals with BPD against various control groups, including those with other personality disorders and a nonclinical sample.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 478 participants, with 40 diagnosed with BPD using SCID-II criteria.
- Utilized semistructured interviews and self-rating questionnaires administered in participants' households.
- Employed comparative analyses against four distinct control groups and one nonclinical group.
Main Results:
- Individuals with BPD exhibited significant comorbidity with affective, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders.
- High rates of suicidal ideation (75%) and attempts (one-third) were reported.
- Elevated novelty seeking (especially in males) and harm avoidance (especially in females) were observed, alongside significantly low self-directedness, independent of gender.
Conclusions:
- High comorbidity and suicidality are critical factors in BPD management.
- Low self-directedness is a potentially specific trait in BPD, indicating a need for therapeutic interventions focused on skills training and maturation.