Use of Clozapine for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Case Report.
Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show significant impairment in functioning, particularly in the interpersonal and social domains. Prior reports suggest that clozapine may be effective in the management of BPD. We present the case of a patient with BPD who experienced persistent suicidal ideation and was treated with clozapine at a state psychiatric hospital. After treatment failure with other psychotropic medications, clozapine medication was initiated; not only did suicidal ideation cease, but social and professional functioning also greatly improved to the point of no longer requiring intensive levels of observation or restrictive procedures. Clozapine appears to be efficacious in the management of suicide attempts and self-injurious behavior. Moreover, it appears to be promising as a therapeutic measure for ameliorating the global functioning of patients with severe BPD. Larger, randomized, blinded, and controlled prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine optimal dosage.
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Badii
B
Amamou
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Walid Bel Hadj
WB
Salah
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Ahmed
A
Mhalla
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Nejla
N
Benzarti
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Hend
H
Elloumi
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Ferid
F
Zaafrane
Department of Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Lotfi
L
Gaha
Borderline personality disorder; Clozapine; Social adjustment; Suicide