Evaluating Three Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder- A Multiwave Study

Clarkin, J. F., Lecy, K. N., Lenzenweger, M. F., & Kernberg, O. F. (2007). Evaluating three treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder: A multiwave study. American Journal of Psychiatry; 164, 922-928.

This article is randomized control trial that evaluated the efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy, transference-focused psychotherapy, and dynamic supportive treatment in the management of Borderline Personality Disorder. Specifically, the researchers examined the effects of each treatment group on suicidality, anger, impulsivity, anxiety, social adjustment, and irritability and verbal/direct assault.

Ninety adult patients were randomly sorted to one of the three groups and assessed at 4-month intervals over the course of a year by blinded raters. The researchers found that all three treatment options resulted in significant improvement in depression, anxiety, global functioning, and social adjustment. Moreover, transference-focused psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy were significantly beneficial in improving suicidality. Transference-focused therapy and dynamic supportive treatment improved anger symptoms and impulsivity. Finally, transference-focused therapy significantly improved irritability and verbal/direct assault. Transference-focused therapy had the greatest breadth of improvement among all symptoms.

One limitation of this study is that there were only 90 participants included in the study, meaning that there was less power in the results. Additionally, the gender demographic was far skewed towards women, likely owing to the fact that more women are diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, while men who also qualify for the diagnosis more often are diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder. Finally, the article was published in 2007, so it is a bit dated and may not include the most up to date information. Nevertheless, the article provides insight on non-pharmacological treatments and was published by Dr. Kernberg, one of the leaders in Borderline Personality Disorder research.