A Comparison of Borderline Personality Symptomatology and Self-Destructive Behavior in Women With Eating, Substance Abuse, and Both Eating and Substance Abuse Disorders

Abstract

This study compared female eating disorder patients (n = 50), substance abuse patients (n = 22), comorbid eating disorder and substance abuse patients [n = 17), and college students (n = 33) on measures of borderline personality symptomatology and self-harm behaviors. Compared to the subjects in the other groups, women in the eating disorders/substance abuse group were far more likely to be classified as having borderline personality disorder and reported a significantly higher number of (and potentially more lethal) self-destructive behaviors. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.