The author compared 14 hospitalized borderline patients with 24
nonhospitalized patients given the same diagnosis. Twenty-nine clinical
features of borderline patients were examined using the semistructured
Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. Although a few specific differences
emerged in such areas as drug abuse, self-mutilation, and psychotherapy
experience, both hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients manifested
characteristic borderline traits of disturbed impulse-action patterns,
psychotic experiences, poor regulation of affect, and disturbed
interpersonal relationships. These findings are consistent with those of
other studies and suggest that hospitalized and nonhospitalized borderline
patients represent the same diagnostic entity.Abstract Teaser