Pain Perception in Self-Injurious Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder

This article notes that during cold pressor tests, pain ratings were significantly lower in female inpatients who report no pain during self-injury (BPD-NP group, n=11), compared with those reporting pain (BPD-P group, n=11) & normal female subjects (n=6). Self-report ratings of depression, anger & confusion were lower & ratings of vigor were higher after the test in the BPD-NP group but not in the BPD-P group. Implications & limitations of these preliminary findings are discussed. (32 refs.)