Pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder: a review

Pharmacotherapy has emerged as a beneficial adjunct to psychotherapy in the overall treatment regimen for patients with borderline personality disorder. The authors review controlled and uncontrolled studies of neuroleptics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and lithium carbonate in the treatment of this disorder. Although no one medication has emerged as the treatment of choice, patterns of response can be identified. These patterns may be helpful in guiding clinical choice of pharmacotherapy as well as directing research to an understanding of the etiological mechanisms underlying this complex disorder.