Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Psychopharmacological Management of Suicidal Behavior in Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in affect regulation & impulse control. These maladaptive coping strategies predispose individuals with borderline personality disorder to suicidal behaviour & this diagnosis increases the risk for completed suicide. Psychopharmacological interventions, including the use of antidepressants, anti-psychotics, & mood stabilizers, are considered in this review in terms of the evidence for their utility in reducing the risk of suicidal behaviour in borderline personality disorder. (95 refs.)