Cognitive approach to treatment for borderline personality disorder

Cognitive perspective on borderline personality disorder

Structure

George Kelly viewed the primary unit in the structure of personality as the personal construct (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Kelly posited that a construct is an element of knowledge that allows for the recognition of patterns in events and is formed by a person recognizing two similarities and one difference, the similarity pole and the contrast pole (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Kelly posited that people in opposition with one another could benefit from exploring commonalities in constructs, as this could help them reach common ground (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). 

Process

Kelly believed individuals psychological processes are influenced by the way they anticipate events (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). This anticipation of the future lies in how an individual's own constructs are built. 

Growth and development

Kelly did not delve into the area of growth and development; however, developmental research associated with construct theory emphasized two kinds of change; that is, exploration of increases in complexity of the construct system associated with age and qualitative changes in constructs and children's ability to be more empathetic and aware of the constructs of others (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Thus, it seems constructs can change not only with the attainment of new knowledge, but also as people mature. 

Psychopathology

Kelly viewed psychopathology as a disordered response to anxiety and that anxiety comes from events which lie outside the range of one's construct system (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Furthermore, while not seen as pathological, fear according to Kelly comes from new constructs appearing; while a threat is seen as the awareness of imminent change (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). 

Clinical application of theory

Kelly proposed the treatment modality of fixed-role therapy, which allows patients space to think about themselves in new ways (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). In fixed-role therapy, the therapist asks the client to behave in new ways and essentially become a different person or reconstruct themselves (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Schmidt et al. (2024) propose that practice matters as well, as they conducted a study which examined the role of mindfulness as a treatment modality for those diagnosed with BPD. In line with Kelly's construct theory and fixed-role therapy, informal mindfulness (e.g., being mindful of one's thoughts and feelings and noticing not judging) works well for those with BPD (Cervone & Pervin, 2023; Schmidt et al., 2024). 

Using informal mindfulness as a treatment approach, patients are taught new skills, which are practiced through role-play and discussed (Schmidt et al., 2024). Patients are then asked to listen to audios on their own time, do worksheets, and practice skills learned (Schmidt et al., 2024). While this falls in line with Kelly's fixed-role therapy, it is more structured and seems more realistic for patients. After continued practice, it is assumed that patients develop new skills and knowledge, thereby changing or creating new constructs. 

References

    Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2023). Personality: Theory and research (15th ed.). Wiley.

    Schmidt, C., Soler, J., Vega, D., & Pascual, J. C. (2024). Practice matters: The role of mindfulness skills in emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 32, 100756.

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    BPD and homotypic and heterotypic continuity: Interaction of developmental processes and personality

    BPD and concepts of homotypic and heterotypic continuity According to Sharp et al. (2007) a juvenile diagnosis of BPD is highly discouraged, thus making it difficult to study the continuity of symptoms across the lifespan. Studying BPD through a lens of heterotypic and homotypic continuity can shed light on how the disorder develops and persists over time, however, due to strong recommendations against diagnosing adolescents with BPD, these studies are scarce (Sharp et al., 2007).  Personality psychologists have attempted to determine stability versus change in development of personality over time. The use of the construct of continuity can assist with expanding the knowledge of how pathology develops and changes (Speranza et al., 2023; Sharp et al., 2007). The construct of continuity refers to the "consistency, similarity and predictability of behavior or internal states across different developmental stages" and in this case refers to psychological structures, traits and/or...
    Read more

    Professional Introduction

    My name is Stephanie Waldron. I am currently attending Walden University, where I am a clinical psychology doctoral student.  I have two bachelor's degrees in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic science and psychology, both obtained from California State University, Stanislaus. I have also completed all coursework for two master's degrees in criminal justice from California State University, Stanislaus and psychology, from Santa Clara University, before transferring to Walden University to pursue my PhD. I am currently a member of several organizations including the Alternatives to Violence Project, where I am a team coordinator, the American Evaluation Association, the Association of Criminal Justice Research, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and Golden Key International Honour Society. I have held multiple positions that have allowed me to gain a well-rounded background in the fields of criminal justice and psychology. I started my career at the Co...
    Read more

    What is borderline personality disorder?

    According to Shiraev (2016) clinicians identify personality disorders by studying a person's symptoms that represent as abnormal in appearance, function, desire, or feeling. Clinicians then work with clients to diagnose, treat, and prevent and/or intervene with these symptoms. Dependent upon culture, symptoms may be seen as either desirable or undesirable, normal or abnormal (Shiraev, 2016). Thus, cultural context is important during the diagnosis process and must be carefully considered. Shiraev (2016) notes two points which must also be considered when studying personality disorders; that is, there is an excessive and consistent presence of certain traits that are outside the norm, and these traits must appear significantly different to what is considered normal within the persons cultural and/or social environment. However, BPD is considered an exception to this, as those meeting criteria for BPD have inconsistency or instability in their behavioral and emotional patterns (Shira...
    Read more