Correlates of Perceived Impairment in Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Different treatments among individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have been shown to relieve various symptoms that accompany it. Despite high rates of treatment seeking within this population, there is still a portion of the population that never seeks treatment. The aim of this study is to examine differences between individuals with BPD who endorse perceived impairment with those who do not. Additionally, the present study sought to understand what factors are associated with treatment seeking within these individuals. Data from 4,301 individuals from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III were analyzed. All people sampled met criteria for BPD. We hypothesized that individuals with BPD who endorse impairment would be more likely to seek treatment compared to individuals with BPD who do not endorse impairment. We further hypothesized that a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or alcohol use disorder would increase the likelihood of seeking treatment among these individuals. Consistent with predictions, impairment due to BPD was related to increased odds of seeking psychological treatment (AOR = 1.90) and comorbid PTSD (AOR = 1.79) and alcohol use disorder (AOR = 1.34). Additionally, both disorders were related to increased odds of seeking treatment.