M.A. / The relatively rapid development of biological approaches to various psychological conditions, has prompted clinicians and researchers to investigate Borderline Personality Disorder more thoroughly. Research has evidenced the uniqueness of Borderline Personality Disorder in terms of description, aetiology and treatment. Of the various aetiologies proposed, the neuropsychological deficit approach is one which is still in its infancy and which may have promise for new treatment strategies. Latest developments delineate neuropsychological deficits in the areas of memory, perception and visuospatial ability. These factors are important for psychotherapeutic purposes. The purpose of this study was to further existing knowledge as regards the aetiology of Borderline Personality Disorder in order to initiate new treatment modalities and management strategies. The study examined whether a battery of neuropsychological tests could detect organic dysfunction in the areas of construction, orientation and attention, memory, perception and concept formation and reasoning in twenty inpatients diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, with Borderline Personality Disorder. Two control groups were used, one comprising twenty inpatients diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria with Personality Disorders from Axis II, Clusters A or C; and the other comprising twenty normal volunteers. Neuropsychological functioning assessed, included measures of attention, construction, visual and auditory-verbal memory, perception, and concept-formation and reasoning. Measurement instruments used in this study included the Digit Symbol subtest of the WAIS-R; Rey Complex Figure; Logical Memory subtest of the WMS-R, Gottschaldt Embedded Figures Test; and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. (v) Analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc tests revealed significant deficits in neuropsychological performance among the borderline personality disorder group and the control group of other personality disorders but not the normal volunteer group. Dysfunction was particularly significant in the areas of attention, visuospatial ability, perceptual organization, and ability to maintain cognitive set. These deficits do not appear to have been attributable to attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, temporal lobe epilepsy, head injury, a concurrent Axis I diagnosis such as major depressive disorder, or current drug and/or alcohol abuse. The observed deficits suggest new ways of understanding the development and maintenance of Borderline Personality Disorder, and provide indications for treatment. In conclusion, it is recommended that full use be made of the measurement instruments used in this study as diagnostic aids to enhance the effectiveness of treatment modalities. It is further recommended that research in this topic be repeated and extended using a larger sample and matched controls.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:10341 |
| Date | 13 September 2012 |
| Creators | Human, Christine |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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