The developemnt of psychodynamic treatment for patients with borderline personality disorder: A preliminary study of behavioral change

• Published in: Journal of personality disorders 2001-12, Vol.15 (6), p.487
• Main Authors: Clarkin, John F, Foelsch, Pamela A, Levy, Kenneth N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety Disorders; Behavior Change; Behavior Problems; Data Analysis; Eating Disorders; Interviews; Medical Services; Modeling (Psychology); Patients; Personality; Personality Problems; Psychiatric Hospitals; Psychiatric Services; Psychotherapy; Resistance (Psychology); Schizophrenia; Selection Criteria; Self Destructive Behavior; Semi Structured Interviews; Supervision
• ISSN: 0885-579X; 1943-2763

This study examines the effectiveness of a modified psychodynamic treatment called Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) designed specifically for patients, with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Twenty-three female patients diagnosed with DSM-IV BPD began twice-weekly TFP. Patients were assessed at baseline and at the end of 12 months of treatment with diagnostic instruments, measures of suicidality, self-injurious behavior, and measures of medical and psychiatric service utilization. Compared to the year prior to treatment, the number of patients who made suicide attempts significantly decreased, as did the medical risk and severity of medical condition following self-injurious behavior. Compared to the year prior, study patients during the treatment year had significantly fewer hospitalizations as well as number and days of psychiatric hospitalization. The dropout rate was 19.1%. This uncontrolled study is highly suggestive that this structured and manualized psychodynamic treatment modified for borderline patients shows promise for the ambulatory treatment of these patients and warrants further study.