A residential BPD patient cohort was evaluated to determine whether BPD-focused psychotherapy reduced prescribing and BPD and co-morbid symptom severity
The pattern of psychotropic drug utilization at admission, discharge and one year follow-up was measured. Changes in the utilisation of pharmacotherapy were examined in the context of improvements in BPD and/or co-morbid disorder symptom severity
There were 74 female participants, most with more than one Personality Disorder diagnosis and co-morbid mood disorders. Residential treatment included individual and group psychotherapy for BPD. Self-reported use of psychotropic medications was ascertained at admission (T1); discharge from the program (3 to 6 months; T2), and one year post discharge (T3). The SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) was used to confirm the BPD diagnosis and associated co-morbid conditions. The Beck Depression Inventory was completed at each time point
A significant reduction in the prescription of psychoactive medications was accompanied by significant decreases in the incidence and severity of self-rated depression as well as clinician assessed personality disorder, including BPD. These were most pronounced 12 months after discharge
Three to six months of BPD-specific psychotherapy provided lasting benefit for a range of mental health problems and reduced prescription medication use