The treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has changed significantly over the past 25 years. The previous therapeutic pessimism about BPD treatment outcomes has become more optimistic with the development of a variety of specialized psychotherapies that have been shown to reduce self-harm, suicidality, and health service use as well as improve overall psychopathology. Dialectical behavior therapy was the first evidence-supported treatment, but it has been joined by mentalization-based psychotherapy and a variety of other treatments. Several common factors, including structured treatment approach, are likely important in the effectiveness of these treatments compared with unstructured comparators. Pharmacotherapy serves a more limited role in the treatment of BPD due to many methodological issues in the research and a lack of replication of studies. Judicious and rational use of pharmacotherapy is discussed, as well as suggestions for improving accessibility to specialized psychotherapies through the development of stepped care models. Improving access to care for patients with BPD, throughout all age groups, remains an important next step.
This review contains 2 figures, 1 table, and 47 references.
Key words: borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based treatment, personality disorder, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, self-harm
