While psychotherapy, particularly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is the cornerstone of treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, pharmacotherapy is often used as an adjunct to target specific symptoms. Which of the following symptom clusters in BPD is *most* likely to be targeted by pharmacotherapy?

Explanation

Pharmacotherapy in Borderline Personality Disorder is primarily used to manage specific target symptoms rather than to treat the disorder itself. Medications, such as mood stabilizers (e.g., lamotrigine, topiramate) or atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, aripiprazole), are often used to reduce impulsivity, aggression, and affective instability (mood swings). While chronic emptiness, identity disturbance, fear of abandonment, and unstable relationships are core features of BPD, they are primarily addressed through psychotherapy, as there are no specific medications that directly target these complex psychological constructs.