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The case of an aging person with borderline personality disorder and possible dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2010

Edward Helmes  and
Lynda Steward
Edward Helmes*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Lynda Steward
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. E. Helmes, Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia. Phone: +617 4781 5159; Fax: +617 4781 5117. Email: edward.helmes@jcu.edu.au.
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Abstract

There is little literature on older adults with borderline personality disorder during neuropsychological assessment. Here we report on a 59-year-old woman with borderline personality disorder who referred herself for assessment because she feared the onset of dementia. Results showed an above average level of intelligence, with scores on memory tests that ranged from well below to well above average in a pattern that was not consistent with a dementia or with common forms of neurologically based memory impairments. A test of memory malingering was within normal limits. Results are discussed in terms of somatization within this personality disorder.

Type
Case Report
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , August 2010 , pp. 840 - 843
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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