Open AccessRecovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Author(s) -
Carla D. Chugani,
Ashley R Seiler,
Tina R. Goldstein
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2017.3008
Subject(s) - borderline personality disorder , dialectic , psychology , feeling , psychotherapist , personality , qualitative research , dialectical behavior therapy , meaning (existential) , meaning making , social psychology , social science , philosophy , epistemology , sociology
This article presents a qualitative investigation of the perspectives and experiences of recovery from borderline personality disorder from six individuals who were treated with comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, transcribed, and coded using a six-step analysis process. Six primary themes emerged: (1) belief about recovery, (2) current experience of self, (3) facets of recovery, (4) motivating factors, (5) external supports to recovery, and (6) characteristics required for recovery. Overall, the findings took a dialectical form in which participants often described conflicting experiences (e.g., feeling recovered while also continuing to experience heightened emotional sensitivity). We conclude that the themes presented in this article represent broad domains related to the meaning of recovery from BPD, and recognize that the relative importance of each domain is best determined by the individual.