Why Short-Term Psychotherapy for Borderlines?

Abstract

This paper outlines general concepts for the utilization of short-term integrative psychotherapy for borderline personalities. It attempts to understand the rationale underlying the application of this therapeutic technique. In arriving at this understanding, consideration should be given to: (1) the technical aspects specific to the briefer procedures such as: time, acceptability, expectations, therapist’s activitiy, focused approach, therapist as a real person, emphasis on patient’s determination, withdrawal and regression, and (2) the particular symptomatic and characterological manifestations of this patient population such as: autonomy, relationships, structure and controls, choice, engulfment drives, fantasied universe, reality and ego functions.

Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy for Patients with Physical Symptomatology

“…Usually such patients arc either given some tranquilizing medications or are reassured. As a result of such interven tions the symptoms persist and the patients become progressively more frustrated.In this paper I shall present the findings of the effects of short-term anxiety-provoking psychotherapy (STAPP) on patients who in addition to their psychological problems also complain of physical symptoms which do not have any underlying pathology to explain their presence, and which are clearly viewed as complications of their psychodynamic dif ficulties.This type of dynamic psychotherapy of short-term duration is best suited for individ uals who suffer from mild neurotic symp tomatology or from character disorders which are not usually severe, although lately there have been reports that brief interven tions can also be helpful to patients with more severe psychopathology [1,2]. …”

The Model of Sequential Brief-Adlerian Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (SB-APP): Specific Features in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

“…Nevertheless, a time-limited treatment could also enhance some positive factors (Leibovich, 1983;Ferrero & Simonelli, 2006;Paris, 2007): structuring psychic internal boundaries, since BPD patients have deficient psychic structures and lead chaotic lives (Paris, 2010), decreasing omnipotence, expanding time for assimilation and respecting crisis moments. Furthermore, according to a 10-year longitudinal study on BPD (Choi-Kain et al,.…”

Brief treatments for borderline personality

“…It has been suggested that brief therapy can be used as a first line of defense for BP (Budman & Gurman, 1988;Leibovich, 1983), and brief treatments may be more cost-effective than long-term approaches, given the issues discussed above. In the Menninger Study (Wallerstein, 1989), in which 42 patients were treated in the 1950s, many of whom would likely have met diagnostic criteria for BP, expressive therapy was associated with good long-term outcome for individuals with better ego strength and interpersonal relationships, whereas supportive therapy was associated with good long-term outcome for individuals with poorer ego strength and relationships.…”