History of suicidal behavior in depressed borderline inpatients

The DSM-III definition of borderline personality disorder emphasizes affective symptoms. The authors hypothesized that depressed patients with borderline personality disorder would be more likely to be suicidal than those without this diagnosis. Of 53 inpatients treated for depression, 46 manifested personality disorders; borderline personality disorder was the most prevalent axis II diagnosis. That borderline patients had more complicated courses than the other depressed patients was evidenced by their histories of suicidal behavior. Most patients diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder continued to fulfill criteria for this diagnosis even when suicide attempts were excluded as a diagnostic criterion.