1
Research-Based Interventions on Personality Disorders
PSYCH/650: Psychopathology
, 2
Research-Based Interventions on Borderline Personality Disorder
Personality disorders are among the most difficult of the mental health conditions to
diagnose and treat. The DSM-V criteria for personality disorders are not sharply defined;
therefore, leading to frequent misdiagnoses (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). Of the listed
personality disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder stands apart from the others as “a pattern
of behavior characterized by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image,
and moods (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014, p. 342). The following will discuss criteria for
Borderline Personality Disorder, recent peer-reviewed research on the disorder, a
conceptualization of the disorder from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, and a discussion of
treatment options.
Characteristics and Criteria
According to Butcher, Hooley, and Mineka (2014), Borderline Personality Disorder
(BPD) is listed in the DSM-V as one of twelve personality disorders. BPD is listed as a Cluster
B disorder, which denotes traits such as emotionality, theatricality, and irrationality. Diagnosis
of BPD requires long-term difficulties of functioning in at least two of the following: thinking,
impulsivity, relationship, and social difficulties, and emotional attachment. These characteristics
progressively develop throughout the lifespan and typically begin to manifest during early
adolescence and continue throughout adulthood. Professionals report difficulty in diagnosing
personality disorders due to flexible criteria established in the DSM-V and fluidity of symptoms
between different personality disorders (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014).
There is little evidence of causal factors in the development of BPD. Professionals have
identified potential risk factors, such as genetic components, environmental influences,
temperament, and history of abuse and neglect (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). Some
Research-Based Interventions on Personality Disorders
PSYCH/650: Psychopathology
, 2
Research-Based Interventions on Borderline Personality Disorder
Personality disorders are among the most difficult of the mental health conditions to
diagnose and treat. The DSM-V criteria for personality disorders are not sharply defined;
therefore, leading to frequent misdiagnoses (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). Of the listed
personality disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder stands apart from the others as “a pattern
of behavior characterized by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image,
and moods (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014, p. 342). The following will discuss criteria for
Borderline Personality Disorder, recent peer-reviewed research on the disorder, a
conceptualization of the disorder from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, and a discussion of
treatment options.
Characteristics and Criteria
According to Butcher, Hooley, and Mineka (2014), Borderline Personality Disorder
(BPD) is listed in the DSM-V as one of twelve personality disorders. BPD is listed as a Cluster
B disorder, which denotes traits such as emotionality, theatricality, and irrationality. Diagnosis
of BPD requires long-term difficulties of functioning in at least two of the following: thinking,
impulsivity, relationship, and social difficulties, and emotional attachment. These characteristics
progressively develop throughout the lifespan and typically begin to manifest during early
adolescence and continue throughout adulthood. Professionals report difficulty in diagnosing
personality disorders due to flexible criteria established in the DSM-V and fluidity of symptoms
between different personality disorders (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014).
There is little evidence of causal factors in the development of BPD. Professionals have
identified potential risk factors, such as genetic components, environmental influences,
temperament, and history of abuse and neglect (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). Some
