Evidenced Based Treatments for Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder
Like the majority of personality disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder is a disorder that has generally been resistant to conventional mental health treatment. Borderline Personality Disorder is described in the DSM IV as a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affects and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been researched and found to be statistically the most effective treatment for this profound and disabling disorder. Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT has a variety of specific treatment strategies are described in Linehan's book (Linehan 1993a).
Before a patient will be taken on for DBT, she will be expected to commit to a number of undertakings:
1. To work in therapy for a specified period of time (Linehan initially contracts for one year) and, within reason, to attend all scheduled therapy sessions.
2. If suicidal or parasuicidal behaviors are present, she must agree to work on reducing these.
3. To work on any behaviors that interferes with the course of therapy ('therapy interfering behaviors').
4. To attend skills training (Core mindfulness skills, Interpersonal effectiveness skills, Emotion modulation skills and Distress tolerance skills)
DBT is a vital part of any clinical mental health workers tool box. Marsha Linehan has several books and workbooks available as well as DBT trainers to assist learning the skills of DBT. These skills and therapies are clinically effective for Borderline Personality Disorder but also can be used for with many clients who suffer from mood disorders as well. As we seek to improve our skill base as clinicians having this in your tool box will increase your confidence in treatment difficult to treat disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been researched and found to be statistically the most effective treatment for this profound and disabling disorder. Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT has a variety of specific treatment strategies are described in Linehan's book (Linehan 1993a).
Before a patient will be taken on for DBT, she will be expected to commit to a number of undertakings:
1. To work in therapy for a specified period of time (Linehan initially contracts for one year) and, within reason, to attend all scheduled therapy sessions.
2. If suicidal or parasuicidal behaviors are present, she must agree to work on reducing these.
3. To work on any behaviors that interferes with the course of therapy ('therapy interfering behaviors').
4. To attend skills training (Core mindfulness skills, Interpersonal effectiveness skills, Emotion modulation skills and Distress tolerance skills)
DBT is a vital part of any clinical mental health workers tool box. Marsha Linehan has several books and workbooks available as well as DBT trainers to assist learning the skills of DBT. These skills and therapies are clinically effective for Borderline Personality Disorder but also can be used for with many clients who suffer from mood disorders as well. As we seek to improve our skill base as clinicians having this in your tool box will increase your confidence in treatment difficult to treat disorders.
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