The treatment of borderline personality disorder in light of the research on its long term outcome.

Studies of the long term outcome of borderline personality disorder have shown that, although most patients improve with time, there is a high rate of suicide associated with this disorder. In the absence of clinical trials which could demonstrate the long term effects of treatment, the management of the borderline patient must take into account the chronicity of the disorder. A wide range of treatment options are reviewed, all of which could be included in a model emphasizing continuous availability and intermittent active intervention.