What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

The most common treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mentalization-based therapy, transference-focused therapy, and schema-focused therapy, generally have minimal physical side effects as they are psychotherapeutic rather than pharmacological. However, patients may experience emotional discomfort, increased anxiety, or distress as they confront and process difficult emotions and past traumas during therapy sessions. Additionally, the intensity and duration of these therapies can sometimes lead to burnout or fatigue. It is important for patients to work closely with their therapists to manage these potential side effects.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

As of now, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a form of psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, is widely recognized and supported by clinical evidence for its effectiveness in treating BPD. DBT helps individuals regulate emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. While pharmacotherapy can be used to manage co-morbid conditions like depression or anxiety in BPD patients, it is not specifically approved for BPD itself.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include Schema Therapy and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT). Schema Therapy focuses on identifying and changing deeply ingrained patterns or themes in thinking, feeling, and behavior. Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) aims to improve patients' ability to understand their own and others' mental states, which can enhance emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. Both therapies have shown efficacy in improving social functioning and reducing self-destructive behaviors in BPD patients.

← Back to Search

Behavioral Intervention

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

Q: What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals regulate emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. This structured approach includes individual therapy, group skills training, and therapist availability between sessions for coaching. This is crucial for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients as it addresses core symptoms like emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and unstable relationships, providing practical skills to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Age 13-17 years or 18-20 if still living at home with parent

Be younger than 65 years old

Must not have

Non-English speaking

IQ < 70

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up six months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help adolescents aged 13-20 with borderline personality disorder symptoms. The therapy teaches them skills to manage emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships. DBT has been adapted and studied for adolescents with various psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder, and has shown promise in reducing problematic behaviors.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adolescents aged 13-20 with borderline personality disorder, showing impulsive behavior or self-harm. They must live close to the clinic and have a caregiver join in treatment. Participants can't be in other talk therapies, must understand English, have an IQ above 70, and not require services for conditions like schizophrenia.

What is being tested?

The study tests Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-A) specifically designed for teenagers at Rutgers University's DBT Clinic. It involves six months of therapy with assessments throughout the process to track progress and effectiveness.

What are the potential side effects?

As DBT-A is a form of psychological therapy rather than medication, it doesn't have traditional side effects but may bring up emotional discomfort as participants work through personal issues.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am between 13-17 years old, or 18-20 and living with my parents.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I do not speak English.

Select...

My IQ is below 70.

Select...

I need mental health services not offered here, like for schizophrenia or severe anorexia, or I'm already getting the best treatment elsewhere.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ six months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~six months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and six months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Inventory (SITBI)

Work and Social Adjustment Scale

Secondary study objectives

Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23)

Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: DBT-AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The standard treatment to be delivered to all participants is DBT-A, which is a treatment model adapted from DBT. DBT-A is an adaptation for adolescents with emotion dysregulation and BPD features (Miller, Rathus, \& Linehan, 2007; Rathus \& Miller, 2015). DBT-A involves weekly individual therapy with the adolescent, weekly multifamily skills group in which adolescents and family members participate, as needed phone coaching, and weekly consultation team for the therapists.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

DBT-A

2015

N/A

~120

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals regulate emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. This structured approach includes individual therapy, group skills training, and therapist availability between sessions for coaching. This is crucial for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients as it addresses core symptoms like emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and unstable relationships, providing practical skills to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

A randomised trial of dialectical behaviour therapy and the conversational model for the treatment of borderline personality disorder with recent suicidal and/or non-suicidal self-injury: An effectiveness study in an Australian public mental health service.