The clinician's dilemma: borderline personality disorder or bipolar spectrum disorder?
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to explore the use of science as a basis for introducing bipolar spectrum disorder to conceptualize people who may otherwise be described as having borderline personality disorder, and offer suggestions for the management of clinical dilemmas.


CONCLUSIONS
Testable observations, thoughtfulness and humility are helpful in clinical practice.
Little
John
J
Bodmin Hospital, Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Richardson
Kate
K
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*