title: Self-destructive and impulsive behavior in the patient with a borderline personality disorder: rethinking hospital treatment and management.
abstract: This article reconsiders current approaches to the inpatient treatment and management of the patient with a borderline personality disorder. It is suggested that current approaches tend to be reactive rather than proactive. An alternative model based on a behavioral therapy program for chronic parasuicidal borderline women, is suggested. The approach reframes self-destructive behavior as a habitual response to overwhelming affect. By targeting core problems such as self-destructive and impulsive behaviors, nurses can help patients begin to consider alternative behavioral responses to intense stress.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallop
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000078329:Workforce