Treatment of borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is considered by mental health professionals to be one of the most difficult psychiatric disorders to treat. The particular constellation of symptoms and associated behaviors that are known as BPD include affective dysfunction, poor impulse control, and frequent suicidal and aggressive behavior. Persons with this disorder typically have impaired interpersonal relationships; these dynamics extend into the therapeutic relationship as well. As a result, these clients frequently become angry, leave treatment settings and decompensate before re-entering treatment in either in-patient or outpatient settings. A group-based treatment program implemented by a team of mental health professionals interrupts this dynamic; when clients are angry with one provider, there is another provider with whom they are still connected to process their feelings. Working with peers in groups also provides role models of other ways to manage emotions and behaviors. Both treatment methods significantly reduce self-harm in clients with BPD.