Borderline Personality Disorder: What do We Know? Diagnosis, Course, Co-Morbidity, and Aetiology

Abstract

Evidence regarding the diagnostic dilemmas, course, co-morbidity, and aetiology of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is reviewed. After considering problems that the clinician and researcher face in using BPD as a diagnostic category, I argue that current evidence indicates that there is reason to be more optimistic about the course of BPD. Emerging dilemmas in considering co-morbidity in the BPD patient are considered. Aetiological factors are presented in support of a ‘multiple pathways’ model of aetiology where characterological and temperamental characteristics interact in complex idiosyncratic ways.