PHARMACOTHERAPY OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER

Borderline personality disorder can be classified into four groups of symptoms: affective, impulsive, ego-interpersonal, and psychotic. Phar macotherapy of borderline personality disorder should be directed at t he severity of the symptoms in each of these groups, rather than by th e presence or absence of the overall syndrome. This article reviews th e pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder, with special emp hasis on affective and impulsive symptoms. Overall, the MAOIs, the SSR Is, and the newer antidepressants (such as venlafaxine) provide the wi dest spectrum of effective treatment for the symptoms of borderline pe rsonality disorder.