Treating BPD/EUPD
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Psychodynamic approach in treating BPD
For those struggling with the day-to-day reality of living with a personality disorder, it can feel as if there is no way out. Intense feelings of isolation, anger, shame and resentment can build up with explosive consequences for you and for the people around you. Yet, with the help of well-tailored therapy, many individuals are able to change the way they think and behave, paving the way for more fulfilling lives.
Dialectical behaviour therapy ( DBT) was developed specifically to help manage psychological turmoil, impulsivity and dramatic , rapidly fluctuating mood , often associated with the personality disorders. Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) is considered to be highly effective in treating interpersonal disregulations. It aims at increasing clients' mentalization skills to improve their functioning in daily social interactions and to achieve a greater quality of life. Both therapies, combined with psychodynamic approach, are considered the most impactful in helping individuals to:
- regulate and manage intense emotions such as rage, jealousy, rejection and shame
- deccrease impulsive and reckless behaviour
- decrease high-risk suicidal behaviour
- deal with post traumatic stress responses
- enhance respect for self
- improve interpersonal communication skills
Reading recommendations on personality disorder:
'Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction' (2010) by Duane Dobbert
‘The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Living with BPD’ (2008) by Alex Chapman and Kim Gratz.
‘The Essential Guide to Overcoming Avoidant Personality Disorder’ (2010) by Martin Kantor.
'DBT skills' (2015) by Marsha M. Linehan
'Mentalizing in mental health practice', A.Bateman,P. Fonagy