Citation

Harned MS, Linehan MM. Cogn. Behav. Pract. 2008; 15(3): 263-276.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.cbpra.2007.08.006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite the high rate of trauma and PTSD among individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), no studies have specifically evaluated the treatment of PTSD in a BPD population. These case studies illustrate the use of a protocol based on prolonged exposure therapy that can be integrated into standard dialectical behavior therapy to treat co-occurring PTSD in BPD clients. Two women with BPD and chronic PTSD were treated and results indicate a significant improvement in PTSD symptoms as well as a variety of secondary outcomes. Despite having recent and extensive histories of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, as well as ongoing low to moderate urges to engage in these behaviors, neither client self-injured or attempted suicide during the PTSD treatment. These preliminary findings demonstrate the potential efficacy of combining an exposure treatment for PTSD with standard DBT, while also showing that exposure-based PTSD treatments can be implemented safely and effectively with BPD clients. © 2008.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; alcoholism; case report; psychotherapy; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; treatment outcome; comorbidity; posttraumatic stress disorder; article; clinical feature; automutilation; priority journal; chronic disease; follow up; borderline state; patient satisfaction; anamnesis; dialectical behavior therapy; group therapy; habituation; Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders; long term exposure