Borderline Personality Disorder: Complex posttraumatic stress disorder type

A review of the literature concerning the association of childhood trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) was conducted. Many studies have found a significant relationship between childhood trauma (e.g., physical and sexual abuse) and BPD. Some authors have contended that childhood trauma is the most significant factor in the etiology of BPD and in the nature and severity of its pathology. Other authors have argued trauma does not play a significant role in the development or severity of BPD.;I did not reach any firm conclusions on the role childhood trauma plays in the etiology and severity of BPD. It was concluded, however, that BPD patients with a history of childhood trauma are likely to have differences in their presentation and therapeutic needs from BPD patients without such a history. These differences call for a conceptualization of this group that takes into account the possible effects of childhood trauma on their pathology and on the therapeutic relationship. These differences call for a treatment approach that addresses both BPD and trauma issues. A treatment model that integrates selected elements of the treatment models of a trauma specialist, Bessel A. van der Kolk, and a personality disorder specialist, James F. Masterson, was presented. I believed that such an integrated treatment model provides a more comprehensive view for treatment of this group. Future research that investigates the relationship of BPD and childhood trauma and the possible effects of the interactions between traumatic effects and BPD would be helpful in our understanding of these patients.