The Formal Treatment Contract in the Inpatient Management of Borderline Personality Disorder

The advanatages & disadvantages of formal, written contracts between patients & treatment teams are discussed. Miller points out several common contractual errors, e.g. making a contract too restrictive & provides 12 guidelines for making successful contracts, beginning with the need to clearly state the purpose of the treatment plan agreed upon by patient & staff. The case of a 34-year-old female borderline personality patient with a history of suicide attempts & violence is used as an example.