Borderline personality disorder management - a descriptive online survey of indian psychiatrists

Authors

Keywords:

borderline personality disorder, India, psychiatrist, online survey, diagnosis and management

Abstract

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is increasingly being recognized in clinical practice in India. This study aims to understand the diagnostic and management practices of psychiatrists in India concerning BPD. We also examined the practice of sharing the diagnosis with patients and caregivers and the factors influencing this.

Methods: The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling method among practicing psychiatrists across India. A purpose-built online questionnaire was designed and circulated by email and social media groups.

Results: 296 psychiatrists completed the survey. The reported diagnostic and management practices were consistent with the latest guidelines. The psychiatrists felt confident in diagnosing BPD but less confident in managing it. While most of them gained experience in diagnosing and managing the disorder during their training period, they also gained skills and knowledge through other means like continuing medical education events and workshops. The participants of the survey strongly believed in a need for specialized services and more focused practical training in this field.

Conclusions: The discrepancy between confidence in the diagnosis and management of BPD indicates the need for hands-on training in management practices.

Share This Page On Social Media

Author Biographies

  • Lakshmi Venkatraman, Department of Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Chennai, India

    DPM, FRCPsych

    Assistant Director and Consultant Psychiatrist 

    General Adult Psychiatry 

  • Janaki Rajagopalan, Department of Psychiatry, Promed Hospital and Gleneagles Clinic, Chennai, India

    MBBS, MD, DNB, MRCPsych, FRANZCP

    Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of Department 

     

  • Ashlesha Bagadia , Department of Psychiatry, The Green Oak Initiative, Bengaluru, India

    Perinatal Psychiatrist & Head of Psychotherapy Services

  • Siddhika Ayyer , Department of Psychiatry, Gleneagles Health City, Chennai, India

    MBBS, DPM, DNB Psychiatry

    Consultant Psychiatrist

  • Jothilakshmi Durairaj , Department of Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Chennai, India

    MSc Statistics,

    Senior Biostatistician

Downloads

Abstract Views: 14
PDF Views/Downloads: 5

Published

2026-04-21

Issue

Online First : Indian Journal of Mental Health and Neurosciences

Section

Viewpoint

License

© 2026 Lakshmi Venkatraman, Janaki Rajagopalan, Ashlesha Bagadia , Siddhika Ayyer , Jothilakshmi Durairaj . Lakshmi Venkatraman , Janaki Rajagopalan , Ashlesha Bagadia , Siddhika Ayyer , Jothilakshmi Durairaj , Published by Indian Pyschiatric Society- Tamilnadu Chapter.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication. The work is simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that proper credit is given to the original author(s) and the source of initial publication.