Identifying the depressive border of the borderline personality disorder.

The relationship between depression and borderline disorder is unclear. Using standardized observer- and subject-rated scales for depression, the authors compared patients satisfying DSM-III criteria for borderline personality disorder and dysthymic disorder. The two groups did not differ on depression as defined by the scales; however, there was a substantial intergroup difference on certain characteristics of the depression spectrum thought empirically to be associated more often with the borderline patient. The depth and quality of the depression of the borderline patient may largely overlap with that of the dysthymic patient, but it also possesses features that make it qualitatively distinct.