Clonidine in the treatment of acute states of aversive tension and dissociation in female patients with borderline personality disorder

We investugated the acute effect of 75 and 150µg clonidine administered orally in states of strong aversive inner tension and dissociative symptoms which are clinical hallmarks of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and a major reason for self-injurious behavior. Before and 30, 60 and 120 minutes after application, tension and dissociative symptoms were assessed using self-rating scales and blood pressure and heart rate were monitored. After application of clonidine in both doses, aversive inner tension and dissociative symptoms significantly decreased. The strongest effects were seen between 30 and 60 minutes after intake. Blood pressure and aversive inner tension and dissociative symptoms were positively correlated before and after application of clonidine. Orally given clonidine may be promising for the treatment of acute states of aversive inner tension and dissociative symptoms in female patients with BPD. Further placebo-controlled studies with larger populations are needed to confirm this finding.