[Posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation and self-destructive behavior in borderline patients]

We studied traumatic childhood experiences, comorbid posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), dissociation and self-destructive behavior in 30 inpatients with a borderline personality disorder. A standardized interview for the assessment of PTSD, the Dissociative Experience Scale and the Symptom-checklist were administered. Results were compared to a control of inpatients with neurotic disorders matched for gender and age. Borderline patients showed significantly more childhood sexual and physical abuse as well as emotional neglect than the control patients. Of the borderline patients, 67% met criteria for PTSD and only 13% of the control group. Dissociative symptoms were significantly more frequent in borderline patients and predicted in combination with PTSD symptoms and self-destructive behavior. We discuss our findings with respect to their etiological and clinical significance and propose a model for self-destruction in borderline patients which focusses on dissociation and trauma.