Psychopharmacologic management of suicidality in personality disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence for the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and other biological treatments in suicidality associated with personality disorders, chiefly borderline personality disorder.

METHOD: Systematic review of the literature.

RESULTS

Studies evaluating treatment of suicidality in personality disorders are absent. However, several studies examine the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for core symptom clusters that are closely associated with suicidal behaviour. Efficacy exists with transient psychotic episodes, flashbacks and dissociations, affective dysregulation, impulsivity, and anger and hostility.

CONCLUSIONS

Modest efficacy of pharmacologic treatments adjuvant to psychosocial treatments can be shown for clusters of symptoms related to borderline personality disorder.