Psychotherapy of borderline personality disorder

Psychotherapy of borderline personality disorder,  Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2009, Volume 120 Issue 5, Pages 373 - 377

M. C. Zanarini

Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA and Director, Laboratory for the Study of Adult Development, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA

 

Abstract:

Objective: Psychotherapy is considered the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Currently, there are four comprehensive psychosocial treatments for BPD. Two of these treatments are considered psychodynamic in nature: mentalization-based treatment and transference-focused psychotherapy. The other two are considered to be cognitive-behavioral in nature: dialectical behavioral therapy and schema-focused therapy.

Method: A review of the relevant literature was conducted.

Results: Each of these lengthy and complex psychotherapies significantly reduces the severity of borderline psychopathology or at least some aspects of it, particularly physically self-destructive acts.

Conclusion: Comprehensive, long-term psychotherapy can be a useful form of treatment for those with BPD. However, less intensive and less costly forms of treatment need to be developed.

Lancashire Care staff can request the full-text of this paper, email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk