Potential Therapeutic Possibility of Oxytocin for Borderline Personality Disorder

Many symptoms of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) involve deficits in socioemotional functioning, such as hypersensitivity for social threats and reduced trust. Standard psychopharmacological medications regarding treatment of this usually chronic disorder have only limited benefit. During recent years, scientists have developed interest in oxytocin, generally known as prosocial hormone, as a possible modulator of socioemotional functions in BPD. Many patients with BPD report experiences of adversity early in life, and insecure attachment is a common finding in these patients. These factors may have lasting effects on the brain, including the oxytocin system. BPD may be strongly related to dysregulations in the oxytocin system, and oxytocin may have the potency to pharmacologically ameliorate symptomatology of BPD. This article reviews the most salient information available about oxytocin in relation to pathophysiology and potential treatment of BPD.