Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents

Research on borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescence has helped to clarify the characteristics of BPD in young people. The considerable emotional and economic cost associated with adolescent BPD supports calls for early intervention and requires that the assessment of personality functioning be an essential component in the psychological evaluation of adolescents. Adult treatment models with demonstrated efficacy have been adapted for adolescents. This article describes the implementation of these treatment approaches, factors that frequently complicate the recognition and diagnosis of BPD in young people, and an overview of research on BPD in adolescents that delineates its clinically relevant features.