The Efficacy of Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy in Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: Introducing an Evidence-Based Therapeutic Model

Abstract

Background & Aims: The characteristics of individuals with borderline personality disorder and the complex nature of this disorder suggest the need to find effective treatments. The present research has been conducted to introduce Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy (DDP) and to evaluate whether it is an effective model for the treatment of borderline personality disorder in Iranian society. Materials & Methods: This research was a randomized controlled trial utilizing a pre-test and post-test design with a control group of enhanced usual care. Among the patients with borderline personality disorder referred by psychologic and psychiatric clinics in Gonbad-e-Kavoos city, 30 consecutive participants with borderline personality disorder were selected and randomly assigned to the two treatment groups. Participants completed the Borderline Evaluation of Severity over Time (BEST) and the Patient Health Questionnaire Mood Scale (PHQ-9) at the time of entering the research (baseline), and also in the 3th month, the 6th month and the 9th month of the treatment. Repeated Measures ANOVA and SPSS19 software were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results obtained from the analysis of variance indicated that the DDP was effective in reducing the core symptoms of borderline personality disorder and depression. Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, DDP appears to be an efficient and cost-effective therapeutic treatment. These findings have theoretical and practical implications.