Citation

Verheul R, Van Den Bosch LMC, Koeter MWJ, De Ridder MAJ, Stijnen T, van den Brink W. Br. J. Psychiatry 2003; 182: 135-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.182.2.135

PMID

12562741

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is widely considered to be a promising treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, the evidence for its efficacy published thus far should be regarded as preliminary.
AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of DBT with treatment as usual for patients with BPD and to examine the impact of baseline severity on effectiveness.
METHOD: Fifty-eight women with BPD were randomly assigned to either 12 months of DBT or usual treatment in a randomised controlled study. Participants were recruited through clinical referrals from both addiction treatment and psychiatric services. Outcome measures included treatment retention and the course of suicidal, self-mutilating and self-damaging impulsive behaviours.
RESULTS: Dialectical behaviour therapy resulted in better retention rates and greater reductions of self-mutilating and self-damaging impulsive behaviours compared with usual treatment, especially among those with a history of frequent self-mutilation.
CONCLUSIONS: Dialectical behaviour therapy is superior to usual treatment in reducing high-risk behaviours in patients with BPD.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Aged; Antipsychotic Agents; Behavior Therapy; Borderline Personality Disorder; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Self-Injurious Behavior; Suicide, Attempted; Treatment Outcome