Characterizing anger in the DSM-III borderline personality disorder

Anger has traditionally been described as the most intense and prevalent affect in the borderline patient. This study was designed to characterize anger in the borderline patient in an in-depth analysis by determining whether inpatients with DSM-III borderline personality disorder differed from controls with dysthymic disorder. Standardized rating instruments including subscales of the Profile of Mood States, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Minnosota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were utilized. Results generally indicated that borderline patients manifested more severe anger than dysthymic controls. The findings are discussed in light of previous psychodynamic, empirical, and research literature.