Elements of affective instability associated with suicidal behaviour in patients with borderline personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To identify elements of affective instability associated with an increased likelihood of impulsivity and then to determine whether these elements characterize patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal behaviour.

METHOD

We prospectively followed 82 individuals with BPD and a history of recurrent suicidal behaviour who recorded their current mood states, impulsivity, suicide ideation, and environmental stressors (triggers) 6 times daily over 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Our results suggested that mood amplitude was correlated with impulsivity and that 4 subgroups defined by mean scores on mood amplitude and negative mood intensity significantly differed in the number of suicidal behaviours reported in the last year.

CONCLUSIONS

A subgroup of BPD patients appears to be at elevated risk for suicidal behaviour based on high mood amplitude and mean negative mood intensity. Clinicians might target this group for monitoring and interventions to reduce the likelihood of suicidal behaviour.