Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: A Case Formulation

Authors

  • Michelle Poh Kin Choong Department of Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Azizah Othman Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Mohamed Faiz Mohamed Mustafar Department of Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37134/esss.vol4.1.3.2023

Keywords:

borderline personality disorder, depression, case formulation

Abstract

The co-occurrence of depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD) complicates the formulation thus it must be comprehensive to accurately inform an effective treatment plan. The case is TSN, 22-year-old Malay woman who sought psychological help for having recurrent depressed mood and self-harm. Mood assessment indicated high severity of BPD symptoms, moderate depressive symptoms, and mild anxiety.  We formulated the case based on 4P biopsychosocial model, Crowell’s biosocial development model of BPD, and Beck and Bredemeier’s unified model of depression. TSN was temperamental and impulsive as a child. Parental invalidating responses and neglectful environment were reported. The loss of close friend had precipitated BPD traits, which exacerbated by multiple interpersonal losses thereafter. Coping with losses using ineffective strategies have gradually resulting depressive symptoms in TSN. We concluded that BPD traits, rather than depression, had triggered and maintained her depressed mood, thus it is important to focus on treating the BPD psychopathology.

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Author Biographies

Michelle Poh Kin Choong, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

Azizah Othman, Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

Mohamed Faiz Mohamed Mustafar, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan, Malaysia

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Published

2023-06-19

How to Cite

Choong, M. P. K., Othman, A., & Mohamed Mustafar, M. F. (2023). Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: A Case Formulation . Evaluation Studies in Social Sciences, 4(1), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.37134/esss.vol4.1.3.2023