Borderline clients: practice implications of recent research

Current research on treatment of borderline clients with medication, individual counseling, and family interventions is reviewed. Recent studies indicate that the borderline personality is a heterogeneous condition in which different underlying disorders (affective, schizotypal, and neurological) may be present. Research on biological treatments has shown that a range of medications may be helpful depending on the biological substrate of the borderline disorder. Research on psychotherapeutic and socioenvironmental approaches indicates that providing a structured, supportive, consistent "holding" environment is helpful for most borderline clients, whereas intensive psychodynamic therapy is effective [corrected] for only a small subset. Behavioral interventions have been effective in reducing parasuicidal (self-destructive) behaviors that are characteristic of the borderline client.