borderline case

[Encolpius]

I read this passage:
She attributed the breakdown of her marriage to her husband’s mental instability. She wrote: “He became a borderline case, and I did not like what I found on either side of the border.”

I can imagine what a borderline case is when speaking of things, but what does it mean when a person is a borderline case.

Thank you.

[Sharonk123]

I read this passage:
She attributed the breakdown of her marriage to her husband’s mental instability. She wrote: “He became a borderline case, and I did not like what I found on either side of the border.”

I can imagine what a borderline case is when speaking of things, but what does it mean when a person is a borderline case.

Thank you.

Based on the context of the material I read this to mean the husband is walking the line between sanity and insanity. This is open to personal interpretation as so much of literature can be. A "borderline case" would mean someone who is experiencing increasing mental issues that may require professional intervention soon. A serious situation is developing and causing the wife great concern.

[Kätzchen]

Disclaimer:I'm no teacher

Borderline personality disorder is a mental disease that leads to mood swings, depression, outbursts of anger and a "black or white" outlook on life.

[Encolpius]

Wow, thank you so much for the brilliant explanations.

[konungursvia]

I understand it as "almost mentally ill" -- and she didn't like either his healthy side or his unhealthy side any more.

[Raymott]

Disclaimer:I'm no teacher

Borderline personality disorder is a mental disease that leads to mood swings, depression, outbursts of anger and a "black or white" outlook on life.

That's true, but I don't think the term is used that way here. People with borderline personality disorder have always had it. It's not something you develop like a psychosis or a phobia, for example. I'm pretty sure "borderline" is being used in its usual non-medical meaning here.

[vil]

borderline case: Definition from Answers.com

Regards,

V