RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (bpd) seems to have a progressive course, starting during adolescence. It's prevalence peaks during early adulthood, after which it declines. The symptom profile changes during its course. Consequently, a personalised approach based on staging and profiling appears suitable for bpd. AIM: To describe a useful model for clinical staging and profiling of bpd. METHOD: A literature analysis, reviewing the evidence of clinical stages and risk factors. RESULTS: bpd can be described in different stages, ranging from a preliminary stage associated with a higher risk of developing bpd to a chronic, therapy resistant stage. Although there are no specific predictors, there are several factors that increase the risk of developing bpd. CONCLUSION: Clinical staging and profiling can contribute to a more personalised approach and treatment selection. More research is needed to develop this model further.