he Case for Shifting Borderline Personality isorder to Axis I

hrough reviewing what is known about the nature, course, and heritability of borderline personality disorder (BPD), we argue for a econceptualization of this disorder that would lead to its placement on Axis I. Borderline personality disorder is a prevalent and disabling ondition, and yet the empirical research into its nature and treatment has not been commensurate with the seriousness of the illness. We ot only review empirical evidence about the etiology, phenomenology, and course of the disorder in BPD but we also address fundamental isconceptions about BPD that we believe have contributed to misunderstanding and stigmatization of the disease. Finally, we suggest uture directions for research that might permit the identification of core features of this disorder, with a focus on the importance of aturalistic assessments and of assessments through the course of development.