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THE TREATMENT OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER WITHIN A DISTRESSED RELATIONSHIP *
Author(s) -
Koch Alberta,
Ingram Timothy
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.1985.tb00030.x
Subject(s) - spouse , object relations theory , psychology , marital therapy , psychodynamics , personality , borderline personality disorder , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , psychotherapist , distress , marital relationship , psychiatry , social psychology , psychoanalytic theory , sociology , anthropology
An integrated systemic‐psychodynamic approach to the treatment of characterological disorders within conjoint marital therapy is suggested. Spouses' personality disorders may serve a homeostatic function within the marital relationship. Thus, any effort to effect change on either the marital or individual system level must address both the individual and relationship distress. Borderline personality disorder, an extreme characterological impairment, has been considered intractible, although object relations therapists have experienced success in treating such clients. The present paper draws from object relations and systemic therapies in developing a treatment approach to marriages which include at least one borderline spouse. A case example illustrates the conceptualizations and interventions which are proposed.