Management of Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

The management of borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be difficult, and specialized psychotherapy remains the core component of treatment with the most robust evidence. Dialectical-behavioral therapy and mentalization-based therapy are the most studied and commonly used among the specialized psychotherapy treatment options. Pharmacotherapy has more limited evidence and should be used primarily to address specific symptom alleviation. Inpatient hospitalization should be used cautiously to minimize unintended, unproductive consequences. Day hospital or intensive outpatient programs are good alternatives between hospitalization and routine outpatient visits for many patients. Because the rate of nonsuicidal self-injury is high among people with BPD, safety assessments by clinicians are an ongoing part of treatment and often involve family and loved ones. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2020;50(1):24–28.]