Abstract
The paper reveals that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an increasingly common diagnosis amongst American psychiatric patients. The paper covers three specific areas related to BPD; (1) a description of BPD, including its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment protocols, (2) comorbidities which can commonly occur with BPD and how they can differ from patient to patient and (3) a review of current research to demonstrate new findings in the diagnosis and treatment of BPD.

Outline:
Introduction
Causes of BPD
Comorbidities with BPD
Treatment for BPD
Newer Methods in Treating and Diagnosing BPD
Conclusion

From the Paper
"BPD's definition has changed over time. The current description of BPD includes antisocial disorder, eating disorder and generalized anxiety.
A complete list of BPD's diagnostic signs includes emotional vulnerability, self-invalidation, unrelenting crises, inhibited grieving, active passivity and apparent competence. This last symptom may seem contradictory to the earlier signs, but means that the individual may present him/herself as being much more competent than they really are. Thus, as with the earlier diagnostic signs, a basis of low self-esteem and deceptive behavior is consistent with that symptom(2), BPD is often associated with affective disorder in 66% of cases, according to initial studies(3)."

Tags:comorbidity, treatment, therapy, post-traumatic, stress, disorder, eating, disorders

Abstract
"A personality disorder is characterized by an enduring pattern of inner experience and outward behavior that consistently deviates from the expectations of the individual's culture (Linehan, Oldham, & Silk, 1995).

From the Paper
"A personality disorder is characterized by an enduring pattern of inner experience and outward behavior that consistently deviates from the expectations of the individual's culture (Linehan, Oldham, & Silk, 1995). Ten personality disorders are currently recognized, and this paper will discuss just one such disorder - borderline personality disorder. It will present a review of the literature on borderline personality disorder, a treatment plan for a patient with the disorder, and discuss the therapeutic alliance between a patient with borderline personality disorder and his/her therapist.

An estimate of the prevalence of personality disorders in a community population is from two percent to 14 percent (Linehan Oldham, & Silk, 1995; Hubbard, Saathoff, Bernardo, & Barnett, 1995; Coreeli, 1998). Although the disorder occurs in both men ..."

Abstract
This paper includes an extensive literature review of the role of trauma in the development of BPD, along with a clinical case study of a girl with BPD, and a transcript of an actual conversation between therapist and patient. BPD is characterized by a combination of impulsive, emotional, and cognitive deficits in personality functioning. The disorder seems to develop as a result of early childhood trauma, especially traumatic experiences related to parental neglect and abuse. Children who are classified as being highly abused tend to have greater tendencies toward developing BPD than non-abused children. This paper explores the association between childhood trauma and the development of borderline personality disorder in adult females.

From the Paper
"Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by an array of symptoms that are most prevalent in females. According to the DSM-IV, BPD is defined as: A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: 1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment 2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation. 3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self. 4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). 5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior. 6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days). 7. Chronic feelings of emptiness. 8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights). 9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms. (American Psychiatric Association, 1995) "

Tags:abuse, adolescent, bpd, case, depression, emotional, females, instability, literature, neglect, review, study, therapy, women

Abstract
This paper discusses borderline personality disorder (BPD), a complex and severe psychopathology that is characterized by the presence of certain instabilities. According to the paper, the most commonly practiced interventions for the treatment of BPD are psychodynamic programs and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The paper goes on to review DBT, which is based on dialectical philosophy and a biosocial theory of BPD.

Outline:
Mechanisms of Change in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Research Supporting DBT
The Effectiveness of DBT in Males Versus Females
DBT Intervention Development

From the Paper
"The benefits of DBT experienced by individuals with BPD may be enhanced through accompanied administration of psychopharmaceutical medication. Soler et al. (2005) examined the combined effects that DBT and olanzapine have on psychiatric symptoms experienced by individuals with BPD. Results of the study showed that this combined treatment was associated with significant improvements in anxiety, depression and aggressive/impulsive behavior in comparison to a placebo group. The researchers suggested that this combination therapy of DBT and olanzapine acts to lower attrition rates and is an overall effective treatment for BPD (Soler et al., 2005). Other pharmaceuticals may not prove to be so beneficial. A study by Simpson et al. (2004) demonstrated that the addition of fluoxetine to an already effective DBT treatment program is not additionally beneficial."

Tags:holistic, approach, BPD, DBT, quality, of, life, treatment, behavior, substance, abuse

Abstract
This paper explains that individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are afflicted with a continual state of emotional conflict and chaos, often swinging from one extreme of emotion to another. Patients with BPD are traditionally known to exhibit symptoms of depression, anger and anxiety at varying times and traditionally demonstrate self injurious behavior. The paper contends that the road to treatment and recovery is often a different one, as traditional psychotherapeutic approaches often fail treating patients with BPD. The paper presents recent evidence that suggests that an integrative approach for treating BPD is best. This type of approach would combine cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacological intervention and traditional psychotherapy techniques to find the best possible outcome for BPD patients.
Outline
Introduction
DSM-IV for Borderline Personality Disorder
Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Because borderline personality disorder is complex in nature and difficult to label, differential diagnostic criteria and theoretical orientations have been established for assessing the disorder (Cottrell & Jones, 2000). Thus a therapist might encounter differing behavioral, symptomatic and psychodynamic formulations and findings that form the basis of diagnostic categorization of BPD (Cottrell & Jones, 2000). Differential diagnostic criteria may include: identity diffusion, contradictory aspects of self and others, splitting defenses, projective identification, idealization and omnipotence as well as denial and de-valuation of the self (Cottrell & Jones, 2000). The specificity of borderline personality disorder remains in question however because patients vary in symptomology and personality despite fitting into diagnostic criteria (Cottrell & Jones, 2000). "

Tags:manic, depression, psychotherapy

Abstract
This paper describes borderline personality disorder (BPD) as a serious mental illness that impacts a person's interpersonal relationships, self-image and behavior. Next, the author relates the history of the development of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), its scales and their interpretations and its clinical applications. The paper concludes that the literature review, which is presented as article summaries, indicates that the MMPI-2 is being used to diagnose BPD for which this instrument was not designed; therefore, its validity and reliability for the assessment of this condition cannot be known. A table is included in the paper.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Evaluation of Psychological Measure
Scales of the MMPI-2
Article Summaries
Evaluation of the MMPI-2
Omitted Material
Psychometric Properties
Administration Methods
Limitations
Bias in the MMPI-2 for BPD
Conclusion
Position Statement
Final Comments

From the Paper
"This study reviewed the results of similar studies and found that battered women do not demonstrate elevated scores on the MMPI-2 for disorders that could "provoke" battering. It has been suggested that battered women sometimes bring it on themselves by acting in away that provokes the behavior in the batterer. The purpose the study was to determine if battered women's elevated MMPI-2 scores were a result of the battering or if they indicated that they provoked the battering. One way to test this was to see if the MMPI-2 scores of battered women decreased after the battering had stopped. In the literature review of the study one study was found that used a longitudinal technique to examine this factor."

Tags:self-injury, personality assessment, screening tool, scales misinterpretation

Abstract
This paper presents the work of many researchers who have studied the connection between childhood abuse and the development of borderline personality disorder. The author believes that chronic abuse leads to dysfunction in the processes of ego and personality development, attachment and affective stability. The paper concludes that the traumatic effects of physical and sexual abuse on the development of borderline personality disorder need to be examined in light of other potential etiological factors such as genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances, and other avenues that are currently receiving attention in the BPD research community. Abstracts and excerpts from Articles.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Abuse and BPD Statistics
Physical and Sexual Abuse
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Wilkins has also found that the chaotic behavior associated with borderline women is a reaction to traumatic experiences. Unable to gain security from their relationships, a dysfunction of the attachment system occurs. The symptoms associated with BPD diagnosis, therefore, can be seen as a reaction to early relationships with significant others, perceived trauma, and experiences of real abuse, which are then internalized. The adaptive behavior of the borderline adult is a direct consequence of the messages received in childhood. They frantically seek to avoid further abandonment and isolation."

Tags:abuse, dysfunction, ego, attachment, sexual

Abstract
The paper discusses various treatments available for the borderline personality disorder. The paper looks at transference focused therapy (TFP), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). The paper emphasizes that, as with other disorders, treatment effectiveness can vary from one patient to another. The paper relates that further research is being conducted on BPD by the National Institute of Mental Health and other researching bodies.

Outline:
Transference Focused Therapy
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision [DSM-IV-TR] (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000) defines borderline personality disorder (BPD), an Axis II personality disorder, as "a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affects, and marked impulsivity" (p. 686). To meet the DSM-IV-TR's diagnostic criteria for BPD one must present by early adulthood, with five of the eight behaviors associated with borderline, which may include, but are not limited to: a pattern of unstable relationships, irrational fear of abandonment, suicidality, self-mutilation, identity disturbance, self-damaging impulsivity, poor self-concept, and a constant feeling of emptiness."

Tags:mental, health, interpersonal, relationships, behaviors

Abstract
This paper describes bipolar disorder and its comorbidities. It also describes the emerging bipolar spectrum, which is a new way of looking at bipolar disorders. The paper also describes borderline personality disorder (BPD) and describes the arguments for and against its inclusion within the bipolar spectrum. It particularly describes the similarities between BPD and bipolar disorders.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Axis I Comorbidity
Axis II Comorbidity
Bipolar Spectrum and Temperament
Do Some Diagnoses Deserve a Bipolar Subgroup?

From the Paper
"The understanding of bipolar disorders is in a state of flux. Traditionally, the disorder was defined as a period of severe manic and depressive episodes with periodic switches between these two poles and was referred to as manic- depression, and now bipolar disorder I. In the 1980's, it was recognized that there were clinical manifestations resembling manic-depression, however, the extremes in mania were not as severe (hypomania). This was termed bipolar II disorder. In situations where an individual experiences 2 or more years of the hypomanic symptoms with subthreshold periods of depressive symptoms a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is made. These diagnoses are included in the DSM-IV."

Tags:manic, depression, abnormal, psychology, BPD

Abstract
This paper examines the prevalence of manic depression (or bipolar disorders) in children and adolescents. It discusses the symptoms and the diagnosis and describes the difficulties in diagnosis due to the complexity of bipolar disorder (BPD) in children and adolescents. It also looks at how these difficulties in diagnosis affect the ability to treat the disorder.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents
Outpatient Treatment
Specific Outpatient Treatments
Inpatient Treatment
Medication
Comorbid Diagnosis: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Comorbid Diagnosis: Substance Abuse
Methodology
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As a result of the research reviewed, future research should examine the effectiveness of specific family interventions such as IFT, FFT, and CBT, due to the profound impact families have on the success of treatment in youth with BPD. Empirical research should be developed to conclude best practice therapeutic techniques for the reduction of depression and mania in children, as well as pharmacological interventions. It would be useful to study, over a period of at least six months, the efficacy of specific family treatment modalities in bipolar diagnosed children. This would be based on psychotherapeutic goal achievement in areas such as social, emotional, and school functioning while focusing on family interaction and education. Controlled and experimental groups are needed to empirically determine which psychosocial approaches demonstrate the greatest efficacy (Rivas-Vazquez et al., 2002)."

Tags:comorbidity, BPD, therapy, mania, depression