Comorbid atypical depression in borderline personality disorder is common and correlated with anxiety-related psychopathology.
BACKGROUND
The core features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are affective instability, unstable relationships and identity disturbance. Axis I comorbidities are frequent, in particular affective disorders. The concept of atypical depression is complex and often underestimated. The purpose of the study was to investigate the comorbidity of atypical depression in borderline patients regarding anxiety-related psychopathology and interpersonal problems.


METHODS
Sixty patients with BPD were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders (SCID I, SCID II) as well as the Atypical Depression Diagnostic Scale (ADDS). Additionally, patients completed a questionnaire (SCL-90-R, BDI, STAI, STAXI, IIP-C).


RESULTS
Forty-five BPD patients (81.8%) had a comorbid affective disorder of which 15 (27.3%) were diagnosed with an atypical depression. In comparison to patients with major depressive disorder or no comorbid depression, patients with atypical depression showed significant higher scores in psychopathological symptoms regarding anxiety and global severity as well as interpersonal problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of atypical depression in borderline patients is correlated with psychopathology, anxiety, and interpersonal problems and seems to be of clinical importance for personalized treatment decisions.
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric Hospital, Münsterlingen, Switzerland. Electronic address: daniela.gremaud@stgag.ch.
Daniela
D
Gremaud-Heitz
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Anke
A
Riemenschneider
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Marc
M
Walter
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Daniel
D
Sollberger
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric Hospital, Liestal, Switzerland.
Joachim
J
Küchenhoff
Psychiatric Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric Hospital, Münsterlingen, Switzerland.
Gerhard
G
Dammann
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult