Suicidal Behavior in Borderline Personality Disorder: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Prediction, and Prevention
Abstract
Suicidal behavior is frequent in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD); at least three-quarters of these patients attempt suicide and approximately 10% eventually complete suicide. Borderline patients at greatest risk for suicidal behavior include those with prior attempts, comorbid major depressive disorder, or a substance use disorder. Comorbidity with major depression serves to increase both the number and seriousness of the suicide attempts. Hopelessness and impulsivity independently increase the risk of suicidal behavior, as does a turbulent early life and the presence of antisocial traits. In summary, because BPD is frequently complicated by suicidal behavior, clinicians must avoid the mistake of thinking that a pattern of repeated attempts indicates little desire to die. Clinicians have an important role in preventing suicide attempts and completed suicides by understanding the risk factors.
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- Authors
- Black, D. W., Blum, N., Pfohl, B., & Hale, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Iowa (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality Disorders
- Publisher
- Guilford Publications
- Published
- 2004-06
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 226-239
- ISSN
- 0885-579X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2151396431
- Cited by
- 522
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 1.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH063746, MH-63746)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Keywords
- suicidal behavior, borderline personality disorder, suicide attempts, suicide mortality, suicide risk factors, hopelessness, impulsivity, major depressive disorder comorbidity, substance use disorders, antisocial personality traits, childhood adversity, suicide prevention, suicide risk prediction
- MeSH terms
- Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Family Relations, Humans, Life Change Events, Risk Factors, Suicide, Attempted, United States, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Mood Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders
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