A Review of Inpatient Group Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Because the average length of psychiatric hospitalization is decreasing, effective short-term treatments for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are in greater demand. Of particular interest are group therapies, which have traditionally been a treatment of choice on inpatient units. We review empirical research and clinical descriptions of group psychotherapy for inpatients with personality disorders, especially BPD. Based on the existing literature on inpatient groups, supplemented by the most recent literature on outpatient groups for patients with BPD, we propose a framework within which an effective short-term group treatment may be developed for inpatients with this disorder. In particular, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adapting Linehan's Dialectical Behavior Therapy for short-term inpatient use.

Preliminary Outcomes on the Use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Reduce Hospitalization Among Adolescents in Residential Care

“…A significant decrease in the number of parasuicidal acts was reported, as well as significant improvements in ratings of depression, dissociation, anxiety, and global stress. Although not originally developed as a short-term treatment, DBT has successfully been adapted to brief stays typical of inpatient units (Simpson et al, 1998;Springer & Silk, 1996;Swenson, Sanderson, Dulit, & Linehan, 2001).…”

Relational Mental Health: Beyond Evidence-Based Interventions

“…Group therapy, traditionally used in these patients when they are hospitalised, is currently considered of particular interest for outpatients. Springer and Silk (1996) designed an efficient, short programme, and discussed, particularly, the advantages and disadvantages of Linehan's dialectical behaviour therapy (1987). Indeed, group therapy offers the advantages of being less expensive, making transference easier to manage, and producing an improvement in ego functioning (Kretsch, Goren, and Wasserman, 1987) and interpersonal functioning (Schreter, 1970(Schreter, , 1978, and a drop in the patient's regressive tendencies (Horwitz, 1987).…”

Treatments for borderline personality disorder: integrating evidence into practice

“…Group therapy has been considered a useful mode for treatment of personality disorders (Springer & Silk, 1996). One of the models is a creative coping group, (Miller et al, 1994), which is based on DBT that addresses the ineffective coping of patients with BPD.…”