Transference-Focused Psychotherapy and Trust Processing in BPD: Exploring Possible Mechanisms of Change

Borderline Personality Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Current Diagnostic Practices, Treatment Modalities, and Key Controversies

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in emotions, interpersonal relationships, and self-image. This comprehensive review explores the current diagnostic practices, treatment modalities, and ongoing controversies surrounding BPD. We discuss established and proposed diagnostic criteria, highlight the limitations of current assessment tools, and examine the epidemiology of the disorder, including its prevalence and comorbidities. The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based treatment, transference-focused psychotherapy, and schema-focused psychotherapy is evaluated alongside the role of pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, we address critical controversies, including misdiagnosis, the impact of trauma, stigma, and the ongoing debate regarding the treatability and recovery potential for individuals with BPD. By synthesizing these facets, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of BPD and inform future research and clinical practice.

Commentary: Special Issue on Interpersonal Trust

This commentary reviews the Journal of Personality Disorders special issue "Interpersonal Trust and Borderline Personality Disorder: Insights From Clinical Practice and Research," published in Volume 37, Number 5, October 2023.

Commentary: Special Issue on Interpersonal Trust

This commentary reviews the Journal of Personality Disorders special issue "Interpersonal Trust and Borderline Personality Disorder: Insights From Clinical Practice and Research," published in Volume 37, Number 5, October 2023.

Interpersonal Trust and Borderline Personality Disorder: Insights From Clinical Practice and Research: Introduction

Individuals suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD) show a pervasive sense that others cannot be trusted, are vulnerable to negative therapeutic reactions, and can oscillate between idealized and persecutory interactions with others. These trust processing impairments impact both the immediate and wider social milieu of individuals with BPD, including therapist-patient interactions. Recently, research started unraveling the social-cognitive mechanisms of these impairments in BPD. In this Special Issue, we attempt to close the gap between research findings and clinical theories on trust processing impairment in BPD. The first section includes five original studies on trust processing in BPD. The second section includes five articulations of trust processing impairment as a treatment target in evidence-based treatments for BPD and as an indispensable "common factor" in the treatment of BPD. These cutting-edge research and clinical contributions advance a potential integrative, clinical science framework for conceptualizing and intervening effectively with those who struggle with BPD.