Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
long term
high

Cutting and burning are common self-harm behaviours.

May be present in more than 70% of patients with borderline personality disorder.

Associated with psychiatric comorbidity, including depressive disorders and bulimia nervosa.

long term
high

The 10-year course of borderline personality disorder is characterised by severe and persistent impairment in social functioning.[122]

long term
low

Lifetime risk of completed suicide in patients with borderline personality disorder is 10%.[72][123]

High lethality of suicide attempts is associated with co-morbid post-traumatic stress disorder, affective disorders, phobia, antisocial personality disorder, substance use disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and anorexia nervosa.[72][123][124]

History of neglect and abuse common.[124]

A review concluded that long-term psychotherapy, particularly dialectical behaviour therapy and mentalisation-based psychotherapy, has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing suicide attempts and parasuicidal behaviour.[125] Both treatments have several components in common, and future research is needed to assess their efficacy.[125]

Suicide risk mitigation

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer