Self-mutilation behaviors and obsession in borderline personality disorders

ABSTRACT

Borderline personality disorder [BPD] has been the most studied personality disorder. Some researches have examined the relationship between BPD and most axis I diagnostic classes such as mood disorders, substance related disorders and anxiety disorders. The present study was conducted to determine the differences between BPD with and without OCD, BPD with and without self-mutilation. This study is a descriptive - analytic study. A clinical interview was carried out with all patients referred to Imam Hossain hospital with BPD diagnosis and those in whom BPD diagnosis was established on the basis of DSM-IV criteria. Data about sex, education, marital status, job, self-mutilation, suicidal attempt and substance ate we gathered by a form. Totally 205 BPD patients were evaluated [62.4% female Vs 37.6% male]. This study showd that the frequency of OCD in BPD is more than that in general population [45.29% Vs 2-3%]. There was statistically significant difference between BPD with and without OCD in terms of sex, age, history of self-mutilation and suicidal attempts and also no significant difference between BPD with and without self-mutilation in relation with substance abuse and suicidal attempts. OCD comorbidity with BPD especially in self-mutilated patients can help clinicians to better understand the psychopathology of BPD and prescribe appropriate medications [e.g. SSRI]