Conceptual Models of Borderline Personality Disorder, Part 1: Overview of Prevailing and Emergent Models

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a debilitating condition with significant personal and societal costs. Throughout the history of the conceptualization of borderline pathology as a form of psychopathology, there has been debate concerning the essential attributes of this disorder, which has significant implications for its assessment and treatment. The first of this 2-part review evaluates the major approaches to conceptualizing BPD, from the traditional DSM diagnosis through the more recent Alternative Model in DSM-5, Section III, and the research domain criteria initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health that was articulated largely in response to limitations of the DSM.

Keywords: Borderline personality disorder; Cognitive-affective processing system model; DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders; Interpersonal model; Neural systems model.