Psychopharmacologic approaches to the borderline patient

Five case examples are presented to illustrate the role of psychopharmacology in the treatment of patients diagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorders. The cases range from organic through affective and schizophrenic syndromes which are not infrequently at the "border" of personality disorders, and which often respond to specific pharmacologic interventions. The importance of looking for and recognizing drug treatable syndromes within the wide array of patients who satisfy DSM-III criteria for Borderline Disorders is discussed.