[The practical significance of the concept of borderline disorders]

There is not agreement on borderline disorders. The authors support the view that borderline disorders are related to other classified mental disorders, i.e. that they are their abortive forms. There is a continuous transition between abortive and non-abortive forms of those classified mental disorders which are the basis of non-specific manifestations of borderline mental disorders. The authors feel that is of practical importance to differente a small circle of abortive forms which resemble various non-psychotic disorders where an axial disposition is assumed but where, contrary to recognized abortive forms (e.g. pseudoneurotic schizophrenia or hysteriform depression), they cannot be identified at a psychopathological level. The diagnosis of a borderline disorder corresponding to this narrow basic circle of abortive forms makes it possible to avoid inadequately founded diagnoses of psychosis or an authoritative refusal of the diagnosis of psychosis, and it makes the doctor search for symptoms of latent axial disposition.