title: The clinician's dilemma: borderline personality disorder or bipolar spectrum disorder?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Bodmin Hospital, Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: 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*