Randy A Sansone1, Lori A Sansone1. 1. Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, and Psychiatry Education, Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio (Dr R. A. Sansone); and Family Health Clinic, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio (Dr L. A. Sansone).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with borderline personality disorder in mental health settings tend to present with relationship difficulties, mood instability/dysphoria, and overt self-harm behavior. In contrast, it appears that individuals with borderline personality disorder in medical settings manifest physical symptoms that are medically difficult to substantiate. Through a review of the literature, we examine 2 symptom manifestations among patients with borderline personality in primary care and general medical settings-namely pain sensitivity and multiple somatic complaints. In addition to reviewing the research of others, we also highlight our own investigations into these 2 areas. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a literature search of the PubMed database and a previous version of the PsycINFO search engine (no restrictions). Search terms included borderline personality, borderline personality disorder, personality disorders; chronic pain, pain, pain syndromes; and somatization disorder, Briquet's syndrome, somatic preoccupation, somatic. STUDY SELECTION: Published articles related to borderline personality, pain and somatic symptoms (ie, somatization disorder, somatic preoccupation) were examined. RESULTS: According to our review, the literature indicates higher-than-expected rates of borderline personality disorder among patients in primary care and general medical settings who present with chronic pain conditions and/or somatic preoccupation. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike patients with borderline personality disorder in mental health settings, who tend to present with relationship difficulties, mood instability/dysphoria, and overt self-harm behavior, patients with borderline personality disorder in primary care settings tend to present with unsubstantiated chronic pain of various types as well as somatic preoccupation.
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with borderline personality disorder in mental health settings tend to present with relationship difficulties, mood instability/dysphoria, and overt self-harm behavior. In contrast, it appears that individuals with borderline personality disorder in medical settings manifest physical symptoms that are medically difficult to substantiate. Through a review of the literature, we examine 2 symptom manifestations among patients with borderline personality in primary care and general medical settings-namely pain sensitivity and multiple somatic complaints. In addition to reviewing the research of others, we also highlight our own investigations into these 2 areas. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a literature search of the PubMed database and a previous version of the PsycINFO search engine (no restrictions). Search terms included borderline personality, borderline personality disorder, personality disorders; chronic pain, pain, pain syndromes; and somatization disorder, Briquet's syndrome, somatic preoccupation, somatic. STUDY SELECTION: Published articles related to borderline personality, pain and somatic symptoms (ie, somatization disorder, somatic preoccupation) were examined. RESULTS: According to our review, the literature indicates higher-than-expected rates of borderline personality disorder among patients in primary care and general medical settings who present with chronic pain conditions and/or somatic preoccupation. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike patients with borderline personality disorder in mental health settings, who tend to present with relationship difficulties, mood instability/dysphoria, and overt self-harm behavior, patients with borderline personality disorder in primary care settings tend to present with unsubstantiated chronic pain of various types as well as somatic preoccupation.
Authors: J J Hudziak; T J Boffeli; J J Kreisman; M M Battaglia; C Stanger; S B Guze; J J Kriesman Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1996-12 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: C Blaney; J Sommer; R El-Gabalawy; C Bernstein; R Walld; C Hitchon; J Bolton; J Sareen; S Patten; A Singer; L Lix; A Katz; J Fisk; R A Marrie Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2020-01-09 Impact factor: 6.892