background In mental health care in the Netherlands, there is rarely a focus on people with a borderline intellectual functioning as a separate group. However, borderline intellectual functioning appears to be an important vulnerability for the development of mental disorders.
aim To focus on borderline intellectual functioning as an important vulnerability and co-morbidity in mental health care.
method A survey of scientific literature, recent reports and available practical knowledge on borderline intellectual functioning, mental disorders and mental health care.
results People with borderline intellectual functioning have a high risk of developing mental disorders and a specific clinical profile with, in addition to cognitive impairments, psychosocial problems and co-morbidity as important characteristics.
conclusion Borderline intellectual functioning is an important co-morbidity in mental health care. Through an explicit focus on borderline intellectual functioning in research, education and in clinical practice, we can better learn to recognize borderline intellectual functioning among our patients and take into account their specific clinical profile.