Differential diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder type II and borderline personality disorder: analysis of the affective dimension

Renaud S et al. – Making a valid differential diagnosis has an important clinical value in order for the clinician to plan proper treatment. Analysis of the affective experience and its qualitative and quantitative facets can help establish it.

Methods

• A research with the key words affective instability, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder on Medline and Psych-Info was done.
• Other references were found through this review in related articles.
• Comparison of data about the affective dimensions concerning bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder was noted.

Results

• Affective instability is a confounding factor: quality and intensity of affects, speed of fluctuations, affective response to social stress, and its modulation are core elements of affective instability that need to be analyzed to clarify a proper diagnosis.

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