Jul 11, 2010 Victor Salkowitz

It is estimated that between 60% and 70% of those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder have histories of extensive trauma within their families of origin. This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect (American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, 1997).

Waller (1984) notes that trauma, as reported by a group of eating disordered females, if occurring prior to the age of 14, were more likely to have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Kernberg (1975) asserts that an early "borderline organization," natural to early development, begins during the first three years of life. He says the infant's fragile ego, with its inability to integrate "good" and "bad,' has a wedge driven into it by injurious stimuli from the environment, making the split deeper between the good and the bad. This places the individual on course for a Borderline Personality Disorder as an adult.

Shouldn't Most Borderlines Have PTSD?

If most Borderlines have a history of trauma, shouldn't most Borderlines have PTSD?

There are many clinicians who would want to look for Complex PTSD existing concurrently with Borderline Personality Disorder. Complex PTSD is a diagnosis not made official in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), but is used among many clinicians who work with individuals with long periods of childhood abuse. Complex PTSD and the PTSD found in the DSM are similar, yet have significant differences (Whealin, Sloan, 2007).

Differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD

The PTSD as discussed in the DSM (acute trauma PTSD) is caused by an intense, life threatening traumatic event of limited duration. Complex PTSD develops in response to a perpetrator who has traumatized the victim over a long period of time.

 Acute trauma PTSD usually develops during adulthood, after the personality has developed. Complex PTSD may develop during adulthood (as in Domestic Violence), but it commonly develops among abused children, when the personality is less developed and the individual is likely to feel more helpless and captive.

Read more at Suite101: Borderline Personality Associated with High Incidence of Trauma http://clinical-psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/borderline-personality-and-the-high-incidence-of-trauma#ixzz0tTQvxUPV