Advances in psychotherapy of personality disorders: a research update. 2007

Shelley McMain, and Alberta E Pos
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1, Canada. Shelley_mcmain@camh.net

This article reviews psychotherapy studies published between 2003 and 2006 directed at psychotherapy for personality disorders (PDs). Over the past 3 years, there has been a substantial increase in these studies compared with previous decades. Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and variants of these approaches have been evaluated and shown to have positive results. Borderline personality disorder continues to garner the most attention and has been shown to respond favorably to several types of therapeutic interventions on a range of outcomes. Avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder also respond positively to psychotherapy. Although growing attention to the treatment of PDs is encouraging, further research is indicated. A summary of recent empirical findings and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009771 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, persistent obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are the intrusive ideas, thoughts, or images that are experienced as senseless or repugnant. Compulsions are repetitive and seemingly purposeful behavior which the individual generally recognizes as senseless and from which the individual does not derive pleasure although it may provide a release from tension. Anankastic Personality,Neurosis, Obsessive-Compulsive,Anankastic Personalities,Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive,Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive,Neuroses, Obsessive-Compulsive,Neurosis, Obsessive Compulsive,Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders,Obsessive-Compulsive Neuroses,Obsessive-Compulsive Neurosis,Personalities, Anankastic,Personality, Anankastic
D010554 Personality Disorders A major deviation from normal patterns of behavior. Avoidant Personality Disorder,Impulse-Ridden Personality,Inadequate Personality,Avoidant Personality Disorders,Impulse Ridden Personality,Personality Disorder,Personality Disorder, Avoidant,Personality Disorders, Avoidant,Personality, Impulse-Ridden,Personality, Inadequate
D011613 Psychotherapy A generic term for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disturbances primarily by verbal or nonverbal communication. Psychotherapies
D001883 Borderline Personality Disorder A personality disorder marked by a pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. (DSM-IV) Personality Disorder, Borderline,Disorder, Borderline Personality,Borderline Personality Disorders,Disorders, Borderline Personality,Personality Disorders, Borderline
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000987 Antisocial Personality Disorder A personality disorder whose essential feature is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. The individual must be at least age 18 and must have a history of some symptoms of CONDUCT DISORDER before age 15. (From DSM-IV, 1994). Antisocial Behavior,Deviant Behavior,Dyssocial Behavior,Personality Disorder, Antisocial,Psychopathic Personality,Sociopathic Personality,Antisocial Personality,Antisocial Behaviors,Antisocial Personalities,Antisocial Personality Disorders,Behavior, Antisocial,Behavior, Deviant,Behavior, Dyssocial,Behaviors, Antisocial,Behaviors, Deviant,Behaviors, Dyssocial,Deviant Behaviors,Disorder, Antisocial Personality,Disorders, Antisocial Personality,Dyssocial Behaviors,Personalities, Antisocial,Personalities, Psychopathic,Personalities, Sociopathic,Personality Disorders, Antisocial,Personality, Antisocial,Personality, Psychopathic,Personality, Sociopathic,Psychopathic Personalities,Sociopathic Personalities
D015928 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy A directive form of psychotherapy based on the interpretation of situations (cognitive structure of experiences) that determine how an individual feels and behaves. It is based on the premise that cognition, the process of acquiring knowledge and forming beliefs, is a primary determinant of mood and behavior. The therapy uses behavioral and verbal techniques to identify and correct negative thinking that is at the root of the aberrant behavior. Behavior Therapy, Cognitive,Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,Cognitive Therapy,Psychotherapy, Cognitive,Cognition Therapy,Cognitive Behavior Therapy,Cognitive Psychotherapy,Therapy, Cognition,Therapy, Cognitive,Therapy, Cognitive Behavior,Behavior Therapies, Cognitive,Behavioral Therapies, Cognitive,Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive,Behaviour Therapies, Cognitive,Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive,Cognition Therapies,Cognitive Behavior Therapies,Cognitive Behavioral Therapies,Cognitive Behaviour Therapies,Cognitive Psychotherapies,Cognitive Therapies,Psychotherapies, Cognitive,Therapies, Cognition,Therapies, Cognitive,Therapies, Cognitive Behavior,Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral,Therapies, Cognitive Behaviour,Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral,Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour

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