An understanding and approach to regression in the borderline patient.

THIS PAPER will attempt to synthesize clinical observations and the contributions of investigators in psychoanalysis and developmental psychology to work towards a conceptualization of borderline psychopathology? This understanding will be used to consider a conceptual approach towards treatment. In contrast to the extensive literature on the outpatient treatment of the borderline patient, there exist only a small handful of articles which address the complex issues of hospital treatment. As a result, specific focus on the implications for brief and intermediate length of stay hospital treatment will be discussed.