Progress in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.
We outline recent evidence suggesting that the natural course of borderline personality disorder is more benign than formerly believed. We explore possible reasons for the change in findings which include both the iatrogenic effects of earlier treatment models and the recent availability of effective interventions. Clinicians should be optimistic about improvement and long-term outcomes.
Fonagy
Peter
P
Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, Sub-Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. e.allison@ucl.ac.uk
Bateman
Anthony
A
D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome