borderline

borderline /bor·der·line/ (-līn) of a phenomenon, straddling the dividing line between two categories.

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borderline

Etymology: OFr, bordure + L, linea

pertaining to a state of health in which the patient has some of the signs and symptoms of a disease but not enough to justify a definite diagnosis.

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borderline [bor´der-lĭn″]

1. of a phenomenon, straddling the dividing line between two categories.

2. a term used in psychiatry for personality disorders originally viewed as being on the border between psychosis and neurosis. See borderline personality disorder.

borderline personality disorder a personality disorder marked by various features of borderline personality organization, such as instability, impulsiveness, intense or poorly controlled anger, inability to tolerate being alone, and chronic feelings of emptiness. Affected individuals sometimes seem to be on the borderline of psychosis and are highly unstable in mood, behavior, self-image, and affect. None of the features of the condition are constant; behavior is highly unpredictable and such persons seldom achieve their full potential. Their interpersonal relationships are often stormy because of their shifts in attitude and their tendency to idealize, devalue, or manipulate others. Suicidal gestures and self-mutilation sometimes occur with this disorder. The American Psychiatric Association has published Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, which is printed on their web site at http://www.psych.org.

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borderline

 An adjectival expediency widely used in medicine for any condition that cannot be neatly placed in one of usually 2 categories, each of which has a distinct clinical significance, therapy and prognosis