title: Pathways to the development of borderline personality disorder.
abstract: The available empirical evidence concerning the etiology of borderline personality disorder is reviewed. A tripartite model of the development of BPD is then presented. This model has three elements: a traumatic childhood (broadly defined), a vulnerable (hyperbolic) temperament, and a triggering event or series of events. The authors conclude that each borderline patient has a unique pathway to the development of BPD that is a painful variation on an unfortunate but familiar theme.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Adult Development, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts 02178, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zanarini
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Frankenburg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications