Public sector group treatment for severe personality disorder: a 12-month follow-up study

The results of an evaluation of an innovative pubic sector treatment program for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) with a history of unsuccessful treatment attempts and severe self-harm are presented.

DSM-IV axis I and axis II diagnoses, psychiatric symptoms, patterns of self-harm, suicidality, coping styles, and quality of life were assessed for 27 women who completed a 6-month residential program. Pre- and post-treatment assessments and a 12-month follow-up were undertaken.

At 12-month follow-up, significantly fewer participants met criteria for BPD. Significant post-treatment gains, including reduced levels of depression, anxiety and hopelessness, and improvements in some coping style and quality of life domains, were maintained at follow-up. The results in relation to self-harm indicated considerable within-sample variability.

Findings indicating clinically significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms and coping, along with mixed results in relation to self-harm and quality of life, are encouraging for the continued development of treatment services for this challenging patient group.