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Diagnosis and Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder in the College Mental Health Setting

  • Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues (MB Riba, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The impact of borderline personality disorder (BPD) on college students is not well studied, and there is currently little data about its phenomenology or treatment in this population. We review the available literature regarding evidence-based treatment for BPD on college campuses, as well as best-practice guidelines for the treatment of mental illness in the college setting. Diagnostic disclosure and psychoeducation are proposed as practical first steps in improving the treatment landscape.

Recent Findings

Preliminary studies of targeted treatment for BPD on college campuses are promising. They suggest that even pared-down interventions have the potential to help students feel better and function better. Experts in college mental health treatment emphasize the importance of gathering data, intervening early, communicating across treatment environments, appropriately marshaling resources, and providing psycho-education.

Summary

To bring the on-campus treatment of BPD in line with best-practice guidelines, improved diagnostic practices are needed. Disclosing the diagnosis of BPD and educating students about this disorder are simple yet powerful interventions that can set the stage for further treatment and provide symptom relief.

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Acknowledgments

The editors would like to thank Dr. Lindsey Mortenson for taking the time to review this article. The author wishes to thank Dr. John G Gunderson for his invaluable advice and assistance with this manuscript.

Funding

This work was generously funded by donors to the BPD challenge grant for expanding care to underserved patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA

    Claire M. Brickell

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  1. Claire M. Brickell
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Correspondence to Claire M. Brickell.

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Conflict of Interest

Claire M Brickell reports a grant from BPD Challenge and is a staff psychiatrist with McLean Hospital.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues

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Brickell, C.M. Diagnosis and Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder in the College Mental Health Setting. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 38 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0905-z

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