ABSTRACT
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by affective instability, angry outbursts, frequent suicidality and parasuicidality, as well as marked deficits in the capacity to work and to maintain meaningful relationships. BPD has prevalence rates of nearly 1–4% in the general population, 10% in psychiatric outpatient samples, and up to 20% in psychiatric inpatient samples (e.g., Paris, 1999; Torgersen, Kringlen, & Cramer, 2001; Weissman, 1993; Widiger & Frances, 1989; Widiger & Weissman, 1991). In addition, BPD is frequently comorbid with depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, often with detrimental effects on the treatment of these disorders (for a review, see Skodol, Gunderson, Pfohl, Widiger, Livesley, & Siever, 2002). Furthermore, patients with BPD typically experience profound impairment in general functioning and have an estimated suicide completion rate of 8–10% (Oldham et al, 2001). Thus, BPD is a debilitating and life-threatening disorder that represents a serious clinical and public health concern.
