[Borderline personality disorder as a severe mental illness: results of an empirical study]

Previous research on severe mental illness (SMI) has only partially examined borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aims to compile all SMI criteria used in the literature, assess their prevalence in a clinical sample, and derive implications for treatment.

A sample of N=151 individuals with BPD was examined for severity using GAF and CGI. Other SMI criteria were assessed and tested for correlations with severity.

Correlations of medium strength were found between severity and BPD symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, low quality of life, and high utilization of treatment. Additionally, the sample showed high levels physical comorbidities, social impairments, self-harm, and long periods of illness.

Severely ill patients with BPD show all characteristics of SMI. The complexity of the disorder calls for integrated treatment structures.