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S009-2

Renurturing and Revival for Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder in
Taiwan

Lih-Chih Jou

Department of Psychiatry, Shin Kong Memorial Hospital; Taiwan Sunflower Association of Holistic Care, Taiwan

Background/Objective: The most important progress in the last two decades of research on
personality disorder has been the finding that psychotherapy, if properly conducted, is often effective,
particularly for patients with Borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, most methods of
psychotherapy applied to these patients were inappropriate. Clinicians should aim to make better use
of their personality traits, augment and speed up the process of personality maturation. In this report,
an evolving integrative psychotherapy model for patients with BPD will be briefly presented to
illustrate some of the status quo in Taiwan.

Method: This psychotherapy model borrowed concepts and findings from evolution theory,
advancements of neuroscience researches, and observations of mother-infant interactions of
developmental psychology. This integrative model is composed of individual psychotherapy,
long-term group psychotherapy for patients, and a consultation-supervision group for therapists. In
the beginning, psychodynamic-interpersonal-existential approach provided, Mentalization-informed
therapy was modified as the developmental process demanded.

Result: After establishing a secure attachment relationship, patient’s affects were regulated with
techniques of holding and containment, as the therapy progress, patient’s mentalization capability
will be improved and even flourishing. As a result, personal identity will be consolidated, new
appropriate interpersonal relation patterns established. And so, patient not only can get rid of suffers,
but may enjoy the freedom ever earned and pursuit personal meaning of life.

Conclusion: Different from traditional deficit models, this integrative psychotherapy model treats
patient with BPD suffering from problems of underdevelopment. When effective treatment results,
patient will complete her/his own separation-individuation process, so is the “self” restarts the due
process of development.

Reference: Bateman AW, Fonagy P ： Handbook of Mentalizing in Mental Health Practice.
Washington DC, American Psychiatric Press, 2012.
Jou LC：Integrative Psychotherapy for Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Description
of a Management Model in Taiwan. Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 23:275-83.