BPD Treatment
BPD treatment is typically long-term and intensive with sessions as many as 2-3 times a week. The treatment often includes individual therapy, group skills training classes, family therapy, and individual coaching or long-term care to support recovery.
Here are some facts:
Up to 70% of those diagnosed with BPD have had at least one suicide attempt during the course of their illness.
30-50% of those diagnosed with BPD also struggle with a co-occurring substance abuse disorder.
Up to 10% of those diagnosed with BPD lose their lives to suicide.
But with BPD treatment, 90% survive and living meaningful lives.
The most common evidenced-based treatments for BPD are:
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT emphasizes individual psychotherapy and group skills training classes to help people learn new skills and strategies to manage BPD symptoms. DBT skills include mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.
Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
MBT is a psychodynamic-oriented psychotherapy. Its focus is helping people to differentiate their thoughts and feelings from those of others. It teaches someone how to mentalize, which is the ability to reflect on a situation while entertaining other viewpoints.
Transference-focused therapy (TFP)
TFP is based on the belief that an individual’s psychological structure (based on internal images and experiences of oneself and others) is not fully developed. In TFP, the individual experiences and lives out these internal images through his or her relationship with the therapist. This helps the individual develop a more realistic and accurate sense of self.
Schema Therapy (ST)
Schema therapy is designed to help individuals strengthen healthy coping with emotions by examining prior maladaptive thoughts or behavioral patterns. It utilizes a combination of behavioral, cognitive, and object relations theories.
Good Psychiatric Management (GPM)
GPM treatment utilizes cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic interventions. It focuses on case management, psychoeducation, and strategies for coping with BPD in daily life. GPM is a once a week therapy that also includes prescribing medications and family interventions.
On average, these interventions last one to three years. With proper intensive treatment, individuals with BPD can stabilize. Without treatment, the outcome can be devastating to the individual, family, and society.
