borderline schizophrenia

A descriptive term applied to individuals who, to some clinicians, seem to be at or near a conceptualized line between schizophrenia and a normal state. In such people, some of the symptoms seen in schizophrenia are observed or inferred, but the severity, duration, and progression of those symptoms are inconsistent or do not meet all the diagnostic criteria. The term has been confused with or considered synonymous with latent schizophrenia or simple schizophrenia. Because it is so imprecise, the term is now rarely used by skilled diagnosticians. Many who were once diagnosed as people with borderline schizophrenia are now given the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder.