The purpose of this study was to show any possible differences in relation to the degree of improvement between two groups of patients with borderline personality disorder. The patients of the first group exhibited self-inflicted injury in the past while the second one didn't.

50 patients took part in the study. 13 of them reported self- inflicted injury (group A) while the rest 37 didn't (group B).

All the patients followed a psychotherapeutic program based on a Kernberg model for borderline personality disorders. 10 of them received medication in addition to psychotherapy.

Several variables were examined: sex, age, medication and outcome of treatment.

From the results we noted that:

76% of the patients of group A showed a great or sufficient improvement while from group B, 78,4%.

Also, the patients of the group A who received psychotherapy and some medication and showed great or sufficient improvement were 23%, while those without any medication 53,8%.

In the group B those who received psychotherapy and medicine and showed great or sufficient improvement were 66,7%, while the others without medication 80,6%.

From the results, it seems that the outcome of the treatment, overall, regardless of which of the two therapies for both groups, didn't show any significant difference.

The noted differences between those patients who received only psychotherapy and those who received psychotherapy and medication could be attributed to the fact that the condition of the patients in the first group was more severe than the others.