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Recent developments in research of trauma and personality disorders

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Abstract

Although the association between trauma and personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD), has been well established, the etiologic role of trauma in the development of personality disorders has been a topic of debate. Numerous mediation models have been put forth to explain how trauma can serve as a risk factor for the subsequent development of BPD. The symptomatic overlap between the proposed complex posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis and BPD has fueled research efforts aimed at determining whether these are distinct disorders or should both be considered as trauma spectrum disorders. Treatment implications of this diagnostic differentiation are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, 700 Butler Drive, 02906, Providence, RI, USA

    Shirley Yen PhD

  2. Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI

    M. Tracie Shea PhD

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  1. Shirley Yen PhD
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  2. M. Tracie Shea PhD
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Yen, S., Shea, M.T. Recent developments in research of trauma and personality disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 3, 52–58 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-001-0073-3

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