Early detection and intervention for borderline personality disorder in adolescence

Abstract

Personality disorders are patterns of maladaptive personality traits that have their onset in childhood or adolescence and have an impact on the individual throughout the life span. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a very severe but treatable mental disorder. Although BPD has its onset in adolescence and early adulthood, the diagnosis is often delayed. In most cases, specific treatment is only offered late in the course of the disorder and to relatively few individuals. Despite the scientific evidence for the validity of personality disorders in childhood and adolescence, many clinicians remain reluctant to use the diagnosis in young people.