The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram (also known by the trade name "Lexapro") in reducing desire to self-harm and actual self-harming among young adults with borderline personality disorder who are also currently depressed. Subjects will receive either escitalopram or placebo for eight weeks. During this time subjects will be make weekly visits to see the psychiatrist and record their thoughts and feelings several times each day using an electronic diary.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
70
10-20 mg of escitalopram daily for eight weeks (10mg for the first 2 weeks, 20mg thereafter)
The University of Chicago Hospitals
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Self-harm Ideation
Self-harm ideation was measured by electronic diaries (EMA) up to four times a day. Each time a person completed an EMA diary they were asked to rate their urge to hurt themselves on a 5 point scale ( 0 to 4) pad where 0 is not at all, 2 is moderately and 4 is extremely strong.
Time frame: pre-treatment (week 0) to post-treatment (end of week 8)
Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms was assessed via (a) electronic diary (i.e. sum of eight POMS-D items: sad, unhappy, blue, hopeless, discouraged, miserable, helpless and worthless rated using 0-4 scale above) and (b) weekly interview(Hamilton depression rating)
Time frame: baseline (week 0) and post treatment (week 8).
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