Better than expected: improvements in borderline personality disorder in a 3-year prospective outcome study.
We report on the symptomatic outcome, predictors of outcome, and different courses of change in a 3-year prospective, naturalistic study of 37 female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Results show significant improvements in several areas and no significant deterioration. Most patients showed a course of erratic improvement, and only a few showed decline over time. The main baseline predictors of good 3-year outcome were low obsessiveness and phobia symptoms. Results from the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) in this study, like five prior studies, demonstrate that by 3 years BPD patients can be expected to move from a poor to a fair level of functioning. It is suggested that over a 3-year period, improvements may be expected from BPD patients. Prior reports of poor short-term outcome may have been the result of different diagnostic criteria and outcome measurement. Limitations of this study and the need for tentative interpretation of its results are also discussed.
Najavits
L M
LM
Personality and Psychosocial Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178, USA.
Gunderson
J G
JG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010343:Patient Admission; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome