Self-harm in the context of borderline personality disorder

The present article gives a selective overview of recent studies on the role of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior in the context of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous research found self-harming behavior, particularly NSSI, to constitute an easily accessible marker in the early detection of individuals at risk of development of BPD. The review further summarizes studies that investigated interrelations between BPD features and self-harming behavior over time. Mainly, affective instability has been shown to play a role in the maintenance of NSSI and the increased risk of suicidal behavior among individuals with BPD. Finally, results about the effectiveness of treatment programs on the reduction of self-harming behavior among individuals with BPD are presented.

Automated summary

This article provides a selective overview of recent studies on the relationship between nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The findings suggest that NSSI, particularly, can serve as an accessible marker for early detection of BPD risk. Additionally, the review highlights the role of affective instability in maintaining NSSI and increasing the risk of suicidal behavior among individuals with BPD, as well as the effectiveness of treatment programs in reducing self-harming behavior.