[Personality, intellectual and emotional state of patients with borderline personality disorder]

ABSTRACT

It is possible to explain the great discrepancy in the personality and psychopathology of patients with borderline personality disorder [BPD], partly, on the basis of differences in their profiles of personality, psychopathology, intellectual and emotional state. The aim of the current study was to assess these items in the patients with BPD. This was a descriptive-comparative study. Among the patients with diagnosis of BPD referring to Sanandaj health centers, 30 accepted to participate in this study. They were assessed by use of MCMI-III, emotional state questionnaire, and The WAIS-R. The results were compared with those of their matched, non-clinical group. SPSS software was used for data processing and data were analyzed by profile analysis and one way ANOVA. Profile analysis showed significant differences between the groups in all of the tests. Comparison of the single scales showed differences in a wide range of variables of personality, intellectual and emotional state. The results indicated an important role for the emotional elements in the development of personality disorders and also similarity of many of the clinical symptoms in these patients. Intellectual elements are also useful for explaining a fundamental part of the symptoms of BPD. These variables seem essential for understanding cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects of the patients with BPD