A dynamic therapeutic study of the profiles of borderline personality disorder in quantitative and qualitative contextual frame

Mitra, SM mr. (Somdeb)
University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India

Submission type

Oral only

Scheduled

Parallel Session V: Administratiezaal, 09-06-2018, 09:00 - 10:30

Kernwoorden

Borderline Personality Disorder, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Onderzoeksgebied

Personality disorders

Introductie

This study examines the effectiveness of object relations based psychotherapy with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients.

Materiaal en methodes

The therapy was delivered in outpatient setting in Kolkata, by a clinical psychologist with five years of experience in psychotherapy, under the supervision of a psychoanalyst. Seven female patients (age 20-35 years) received weekly sessions for six months. Quantitative data was collected before and after treatment, by administration of Ego-Functions Assessment Scale (EFA-M) (Bellak 1989), Attachment Style Questionnaire (Feeney et al 1994) and Global Assessment of Functioning (APA, 2000). Qualitative data was collected at the end of treatment, through a semi-structured interview focusing on the process and outcome of therapy from the patient’s perspective. Data collected from quantitative, qualitative as well as therapist’s case notes were analysed using suitable techniques and the findings were triangulated with the aim of arriving at a comprehensive understanding of the process as well as outcome of therapy.

Resultaten

The results indicate definite symptom reduction, improved adaptive functions as well as changes in underlying psychological processes, but none achieved complete remission.

Conclusie

This small study with several methodological limitations provide preliminary evidence of effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in the Indian context – which is markedly different from the western scenario.