Dialectical behavioral therapy in borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a third generation psychological therapy developed by Marsha Linehan (1993a, 1993b) to specifically manage the characteristic symptoms of borderline personality disorder: affective instability, identity disorder, impulsivity and difficulties in social relationships. The DBT comes from a biosocial model of BPD and combine cognitive behavioral techniques with Zen and Buddhist concepts based on an acceptance of reality as presented. The treatment consists of skills training, individual psychotherapy and crisis intervention and it is carried out by a coordinated team of professionals engaged in different functions. The DBT has efficacy studies and it is being successfully applied to other populations of patients with high impulsivity.