by Tami Port MS

Created on: August 22, 2008   Last Updated: June 05, 2009

According to the DSM-IV-TR, psychology's diagnostic bible, BPD is a type of psychological personality disorder that interferes with an individual's ability to regulate emotion. The characteristic emotional instability results in dramatic and abrupt shifts in mood, impulsivity, poor self-image, tumultuous interpersonal relationships, and threats of and attempts at suicide.

* Traditional Treatment for Borderline Personality *

In addition to appropriate drug therapy, psychotherapy has proven to be the most effective means of treating BPD, and in recent years, new therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) have been designed specifically to treat this disorder. These two therapies are commonly used to treat Borderline Personality, as well as more generalized, traditional supportive psychotherapy.

* New Research Comparing BPD Therapies *

A study published in the June 2007 issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry compared the efficacy of three different therapies commonly used to treat patients suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder:

~ Dialectical Behavior Therapy

~ Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

~ Dynamic Supportive Treatment.

All were shown to have a significant effect in reducing symptoms commonly associated with the disorder. However, differences were noted in the specific borderline traits most improved by each therapeutic approach.

For this one year study, ninety patients, who had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups; one third received DBT, a third TFP, and the remainder treated with Dynamic Supportive Psychotherapy.

The researchers evaluated each of the three therapies based on positive changes observed in twelve variables assessed across six domains of maladaptive behavior commonly associated with Borderline Disorder; including (1) suicidal behavior, (2) aggression, (3) impulsivity, (4) anxiety, (5) depression and (6) social adjustment. The patients were assessed prior to the start of therapy and at 4-month intervals over the course of one year. Need for drug therapy was assessed on an individual basis and not evaluated as part of the study.

* Best Therapies for Borderline Personality *

All three therapeutic approaches that were examined proved to be effective in improving at least some of the six domains of borderline behavior evaluated; each resulted in a general improvement in the borderline patients

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