Diagnosis of the borderline disorders

Abstract

Only a few of the borderline concepts introduced in clinical psychiatry have adequate diagnostic reliability. They are the borderline personality disorder of Gunderson and of DSM-III and the schizotypal personality disorder of DSM-III. Diagnostic interviews for these disorders have been developed, and their features are discussed. The diagnosis of borderline disorder can also be made with self-report instruments which are presented. Basic prevalence and demographic data for these disorders are given. The delimitation of the borderline disorders from other personality disorders is a major diagnostic problem still unresolved. The method of differentiated weight for symptoms is discussed as a probable solution for this problem.