The Development of a Psychodynamic Treatment for Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder: a Preliminary Study of Behavioral Change

This article examines the effectiveness of a modified psychodynamic treatment called Transference Focused Psychotherapy, designed specifically for patients with borderline personality disorders. Patients were assessed at baseline at the end of 12 months of treatment with diagnostic instruments, measures of suicidality, self-injurious behaviour, & with measures of psychiatric service utilization. Compared to the year prior to treatment, the number of patients who made suicide attempts significantly decreased, as did the medical risk following self-injurious behaviour. (23 refs.) (AK)