1 in 10,000 Koreans Receives Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

It was found that 1 in every 10,000 people in South Korea is diagnosed and treated for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The incidence rate was higher in women than in men, with the highest occurrence in individuals in their 20s. The domestic prevalence rate was significantly lower compared to the prevalence rates of BPD in other countries (2.7%?5.9%).

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) refers to a complex personality disorder characterized by various symptoms including emotional instability, identity issues, and interpersonal difficulties. Chronic feelings of boredom and emptiness are common, and due to a lack of self-control, impulsive behaviors are exhibited. This increases the risk of kleptomania, gambling, and substance abuse, leads to unstable interpersonal relationships, and about 60%?80% of patients experience suicide attempts, making it a disorder with a high social burden.

Professor Seok Jeong-ho, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital

Professor Seok Jeong-ho and his team at Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital recently investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder in South Korea. This is the first study to address the prevalence of BPD in South Korea based on a national database, and the results were published in the Yonsei Medical Journal.

The research team utilized customized data from the National Health Insurance Service database from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019, to examine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of BPD patients in South Korea.

As a result, the number of patients diagnosed with BPD in South Korea increased approximately 1.2 times, from 3,756 in 2010 to 4,538 in 2019. The prevalence rate among male patients showed little change, from 0.81 per 10,000 in 2010 to 0.80 in 2019, whereas the prevalence rate among female patients slightly increased from 1.12 per 10,000 in 2010 to 1.32 in 2019. The age group with the highest prevalence of BPD was individuals in their 20s, with prevalence decreasing as age increased. By region, Seoul had the highest prevalence at 8.71 per 10,000, followed by Daejeon (6.62) and Daegu (5.90).

Professor Seok Jeong-ho stated, “Even considering the characteristics of insurance claim data, the low domestic prevalence of Borderline Personality Disorder suggests that BPD is diagnosed at a very low rate in clinical settings. This study highlights the need to improve diagnosis rates and develop treatment programs in line with international research trends.” He added, “Considering that BPD is a disorder with a high risk of suicide and medical burden, it is necessary to improve awareness of BPD and implement national-level policy reforms and budget allocations.”