Therapy for Persons with Personality Disorder

Description of the Disorder-Borderline Personality Disorder 

The chosen personality disorder from the DSM-5 is Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness characterized by varying patterns of behavior, self-image, and moods. The symptoms mostly give rise to impulsive decisions and actions that complicate a person’s life and relationships. Individuals with BPD often experience intense episodes of anxiety, depression, and anger that may last for long ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013) . The main symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder include; 

Strong impulsive behaviors, 

unstable relationships, 

extreme emotions behaviors, 

Self-harming tendencies, 

Chronic sentiments of emptiness, and 

Distorted self-image ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013) 

Not all persons with BPD experience the same symptoms. Some people experience intense behavioral traits, while others only show the signs if they are triggered. The disorder’s frequency and severity majorly depend on the illness and individual. Some of the risk factors of the disease include social, cultural, and environmental factors, brain factors, and family history ( American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2007) . Although the influences may enhance the risk in an individual, it doesn’t point to the fact that the person has BPD.        

Therapeutic Approach Treatment 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is one of the best therapeutic approaches for treating BPD. DBT is based on the fact that the patient has exceptionally high levels of emotional vulnerability and grew up in a setting in which emotions were ignored. DBT breaks the vicious cycle of emotional vulnerability into two; 

Validation in which the patient is encouraged to accept the feelings and 

Dialectics of being open to new concepts. 

A therapist uses the two concepts to encourage positive modifications in the patient’s behavior. DBT aims at helping the patient “break-free” from observing the world around as rigid and narrow that is influencing self-destructive and harmful habits ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013) . The therapy involves teamwork and, in most cases, does not require any medication.   

Sharing to the Client 

DBT requires close interaction with the patient. The most important thing is to let the patient know the primary goal of the therapy ( Swift & Greenberg, 2015) . The therapist will outline measures, activities, and strategies that will be employed during the treatment plan. Through this, the two can share all aspects of the disorder and treatment.   

References 

American Psychiatric Association. (2013).  Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®) . American Psychiatric Pub. 

American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2007). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice.  Newington, VA: American Nurses Association . 

Swift, J. K., & Greenberg, R. P. (2015). What is premature termination, and why does it occur.  Premature Termination in Psychotherapy: Strategies for Engaging Clients and Improving Outcomes , 11-31.