Pultizer Prize-winning American columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote a front page feature story on Melanie Cane the author of Poisoned Love. Click on the icon to read Jimmy Breslin's cover story:
Test for Borderline Personality Disorder
It is very difficult to test for borderline personality disorder because as of yet, there is not a specific test for borderline personality disorder. Rather, Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD is diagnosed by a multi-faceted work-up done by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. The evaluation includes a thorough examination of a patient’s symptoms, written and verbal tests (psychological testing administered by a psychologist or a neuro-psychologist), and a thorough mental health assessment, which involves an interview by a health professional. Even though there is not one specific test for borderline personality disorder, taken together, the results of several Personality Disorder questionnaires, plus Projective testing and a thorough psychiatric interview can test for Borderline Personality Disorder. When I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, which was the beginning of my long odyssey in my book, Poisoned Love, the admitting made a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, based on my psychiatric and relationship history as well as my presentation, but the diagnosis was confirmed with a complete battery of psychological tests. Strangely enough, even though I was a psychiatrist and had treated many patients with borderline personality disorder, I did not know I was BPD until I saw the results of some of the measures that test for Borderline Personality Disorder.
There are no biological markers (i.e. genetic markers or blood tests) that can diagnose BPD. However, recent studies on identical twins suggest a biological vulnerability. Doctors at Mt. Sinai in New York have just completed the first functional brain scan study (FMRI) of BPD patients, which is a test for borderline personality disorder, and the findings-which have not yet been published-are fascinating.
A study out of Yale, looked at a biological test for Borderline Personality Disorder, using magnetic resonance imaging to study the neural responses to 20 second blocks of neutral, happy, sad, and fearful facial expressions.
Another team of researchers in Germany designed a test for borderline personality disorder, looking at structural abnormalities in the brains of people with borderline personality disorder. They found Gray matter loss in the left amygdale, supporting the hypothesis that tempero-limbic abnormalities play a role in the pathophysiology of BPD.
The most recent study to date, out of Baylor College of Medicine, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a brain malfunction associated with BPD. The researchers found a biological signature for BPD, a malfunction in the anterior insula part of the brain of people with BPD, which makes them mis-perceive information that comes from a partner in an interaction that requires trust. This research design may prove a useful tool to test for Borderline Personality Disorder.
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