DBT in BPD

B. O'Connell, M. Dowling

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex disorder that is difficult to treat. Five psychotherapeutic approaches are used in the management of BPD. These include cognitive behavioural therapy, mentalization-based therapy, schema-focused therapy, transference-focused therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Of the five approaches used to manage BPD, DBT has been studied the most extensively. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a multi-pronged approach comprising of skills-based training, individual psychotherapy, telephone calls and consultation team meetings. DBT can have a positive effect on therapists, shifting therapeutic pessimism towards one of optimism with DBT therapists also describing personal changes resulting from their work with clients. A considerable number of trials have been conducted as DBT was developed in the early 1990s, and most support the usefulness of BPD in the treatment of BPD. However, two Cochrane reviews conclude that more research is needed to provide stronger evidence in support of DBT for the management of BPD.