Borderline Intellectual Functioning: A Masquerader in Patients with Confusing Psychopathology

¹Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

²Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

³Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author: Sumeesha Jaswal, Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, Phone: 09459541400, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: April 07, 2025

Published Date: May 15, 2025

Citation: Jaswal S, et al. (2025). Borderline Intellectual Functioning: A Masquerader in Patients with Confusing Psychopathology. Mathews J Psychiatry Ment Health. 10(1):51.

Copyrights: Jaswal S, et al. (2025).

ABSTRACT

Borderline intellectual functioning is recognised as a condition which requires early intervention but is not given as an independent diagnosis in any diagnostic manual. This is despite the multitude of dysfunction faced by the patient as well as caregivers of patients. Those with borderline intellectual functioning are particularly at high risk of psychiatric illnesses. We present the case of our patient presenting in our practice with assessment of their psychopathology being colored by the presence of borderline intellectual functioning. The final diagnosis for the patient was Obsessive compulsive symptoms with Anxious personality disorder (F60.6) and Intentional self-harm by hanging, strangulation and suffocation(X70) with Borderline intellectual functioning. He improved on pharmacological and behavioural interventions. This shows that BIF is incapacitating and a person likely has problems in daily functioning. Our case reports highlight the unmet needs of a person having borderline intellectual functioning.

Keywords: Borderline Intellectual Functioning, Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms, Anxious Personality Disorder, Diagnostic Masking, Diagnostic Overshadowing.