Borderline personality disorder in suicidal adolescents

Abstract

The diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in adolescents has been controversial. Thus, few studies have examined BPD in suicidal adolescents, even though it is strongly associated with suicidal behaviors in adults. This study examines differences between suicidal adolescents with (n=47) and without (n=72) BPD on history and characteristics of suicidal behavior, Axis I comorbidity, affect regulation, and aggression. Assessments were completed with both adolescents and parents, and consensus ratings based on best available data were analyzed. BPD participants were more likely to have a past history of suicide attempts and to have been admitted due to a suicide attempt (vs. suicidal ideation). There were no significant differences in self-injurious behaviors or degree of suicidal ideation. BPD participants also had more psychiatric comorbidity and higher aggression scores, but no significant differences in affective dysregulation compared to suicidal adolescents without BPD. Diagnostic stability over 6 months was modest. Our results demonstrate that compared to other acutely suicidal adolescents, the clinical profile of BPD participants is unique and suggests an increased risk for suicidal behaviors. This extends upon other studies which support the construct validity of BPD during adolescence and suggests that BPD should be considered in suicide risk assessment for adolescents.

Predicting Persistence of Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury in Suicidal Adolescents

“…Other reports based on this sample have been published elsewhere (Selby, & Yen, 2014; Yen, Fuller, Solomon, & Spirito, 2014; Yen, Gagnon, & Spirito, 2013; Yen, Kuehn, et al, in press; Yen et al, 2012). The present study differs from those studies in that here we examine predictors of NSSI using the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM).…”

Predictive factors for suicidal attempts: A case‐control study

“…However, personality traits have been shown repeatedly to be the strongest variables related to suicidality, and an extensive review showed that PDs, based on DSM classifications, place individuals at significantly greater risk for suicide . Cluster B PD, especially borderline PD, was identified as the strongest risk factor for suicide attempts . Moreover, other PDs have been shown to increase the risk for new suicidal attempts; these include depressive, avoidant, schizotypal disorders, and schizoid PD .…”

Subgroups of Adolescent Girls With Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms

“…Most of the literature examining the stability of adolescent BPD over time has concluded that it is modest to low, ranging from 9%, in a mixed clinical sample, to 29% in an adolescent inpatient sample (Arens et al, 2013;Bernstein et al, 1993;Garnet, Levy, Mattanah, Edell, & McGlashan, 1994;Gunderson, Stout, McGlashan et al, 2011;Meijer, Goedhart, & Treffers, 1998;Mattanah, Becker, Levy, Edell, & McGlashan, 1995;Yen, Gagnon, & Spirito, 2013).…”