Interaction of Diagnostic Criteria in the Narratives of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders requires the presence of at least five out of nine diagnostic criteria in order to diagnose borderline personality disorder. However, the manifestation, perception, and interaction of the diagnostic criteria differs in patients and with narrative focus. The objective of this study is to describe symptom co-occurrences in persons with borderline personality disorder vis-à-vis the focal points of their narrative. We utilized transcripts of interviews with borderline patients, which were coded by two raters, employing the diagnostic criteria as codes. We examined narratives across patients according to the narrative foci of the discussion (interviewee perceptions of self, others, and how others see them). We employed Epistemic Network Analysis to visualize the interaction of diagnostic criteria. Our study serves as a pilot for further research on mapping manifestations of diagnostic criteria of various mental disorders within patient lived experience. By encouraging future research employing this study design, our pilot aims to contribute to more personalized health care.