(Click here [1] for more coverage of Borderline Personality Disorder.)
DSM-IV [2] (the “Diagnostics and Statistics Manual, 4th edition” — a reference book for those working in mental health care) estimates the prevalence of BPD [3] is 2%, meaning that 2 out of every 100 people suffer from the disorder. However, DSM-IV was published in 1994, a long time ago. Since then, considerable research has shown the 2% rate may be a significant underestimate.
A telephone study in Iowa in the 1990s indicated that possibly 7% of the population suffers from BPD [3].
In April 2008, a study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry [4] that involved 34,653 adults with men and women equally represented. The participants were extensively interviewed in 2004 to 2005. This study concluded that the prevalence of BPD [3] is 5.9%, about three times that of the DSM-IV estimates.
The study also shows that the oft-repeated 3:1 female-to-male ratio of BPD sufferers (i.e., 75% are female) may not be accurate. The study found that the number of women sufferers was only slightly higher than for males.
Additionally, high rates of concurrent additional mental health disorders were identified with mood disorders [5] and anxiety disorders [6]. In particular, strong associations with bipolar disorder [7], schizotypal personality disorder [8], and narcissistic personality disorder [9] were noted.
Further reading:
2008 Annual Updates at BiologicalUnhappiness.com [11]
Introduction to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions [12]
Introduction to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (PDF) [13]
DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication [14]
6 Comments To "BPD prevalence may be 6%, 3 times higher than previously thought"
#1 Pingback By TIME Covers BPD but Omits the Full Story | angiemedia On January 17, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
[…] with this mental illness. If you’ve been reading our site, you may have noticed our posting BPD prevalence may be 6%, 3 times higher than previously thought on the studies that came to these conclusions a few weeks […]
#2 Pingback By What is the Cost of BPD to Society? | angiemedia On January 17, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
[…] Recent research published in April 2008 suggests that 6% of the population may be affected and the difference between rates for males and females may be little. If this research is accurate, the United States with its population of about 300 million people has 18 million victims of BPD. […]
#3 Pingback By Study Finds High Correlation of BPD, NPD, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder | angiemedia On January 19, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
[…] a previous posting BPD prevalence may be 6%, 3 times higher than previously thought, we pointed out a study that estimates 5.9% of the US population suffers from Borderline […]
#4 Pingback By BPD Distortion Campaigns | angiEmedia On March 12, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
[…] of mental health professionals [see Wikipedia: DSM-IV]. Newer statistics indicate that about 6% of the population suffers from BPD and the gender split is about […]
#5 Pingback By BPD Distortion Campaigns | angiEmedia On September 23, 2010 @ 2:15 am
[…] that about 75% of BPD cases occur in women and that about 2% of the population is affected. Newer research shows that the ratio is probably closer still, possibly nearly evenly split, and that as much as 6% […]
#6 Pingback By Borderline Personality Disorder and Parental Alienation Involve Similar Abusive Behaviors | angiEmedia On September 25, 2010 @ 1:40 am
[…] on BPD reflected in the DSM-IV indicates that females Borderlines far outnumber male Borderlines, newer research indicates that is not so. Yet there has still been a strong focus on BPD being an illness affecting […]