Borderline personality disorder in adolescence: the case for medium stay inpatient treatment.

Laurel Williams, Carla Sharp

Menninger Clinic and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA. laurelw@bcm.edu

Journal of psychiatric practice 2013 Mar

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The diagnosis of personality disorders in adolescents has been a topic of debate in recent years. This manuscript reviews the case of an adolescent girl admitted for a medium length combined inpatient and partial hospitalization program. This program has developed protocols to assess for Axis I and II pathology as well as various psychological processes. Comprehensive outcome measures were administered to the patient at discharge and follow-up. Diagnosis of a personality disorder in adolescence appears to be associated with psychological processes usually identified in adults. Against the background of an emerging debate about the need to reform a culture of ultra-short inpatient care, this case study provides some support for more thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents who appear to have comorbid Axis I and II disorders.

Citation

Laurel Williams, Carla Sharp. Borderline personality disorder in adolescence: the case for medium stay inpatient treatment. Journal of psychiatric practice. 2013 Mar;19(2):162-72