Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, Second Edition

Joel Paris, MD, is Research Associate at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada, and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University. He became Full Professor at McGill in 1994 and served as Chair of the Department of Psychiatry from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Paris is past president of the Association for Research on Personality Disorders, co-founder of the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, and past Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. His research focuses on the causes, treatment, and long-term outcome of borderline personality disorder. Dr. Paris is the author of more than 280 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books.

"This book provides a comprehensive, evidence-based account of the history and contemporary understanding of BPD, enlivened by clinical examples throughout. Informed by a lifetime of clinical experience, Paris does not hesitate to give his considered opinions, particularly where the evidence base is lacking. The controversies around the new classifications of personality disorder are discussed and questions about frequency, intensity, and length of treatment debated. The result is a lively and informative read for both the newcomer and seasoned expert.”--Anthony W. Bateman, FRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, Anna Freud Centre; Visiting Professor, University College London, United Kingdom"This book is a gold mine of information about diagnosis and treatment of BPD. Paris explores the causes of the disorder, with a focus on gene–environment interactions, and discusses evidence-based psychotherapy models and the use of medications for symptom management. Paris’s treatment recommendations are accompanied by clinical examples. This book is a ‘must read’ for beginning therapists and a reminder of the state of the art for those who are more experienced.”--Lorna Smith Benjamin, PhD, Department of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Utah"Written by a clinician-researcher who has helped to revolutionize our profession’s attitude toward, understanding of, and clinical approach to BPD, this book offers a digestible synthesis of current knowledge and emerging discoveries. It is a practical, optimistic guide that is accessible to any clinician, regardless of background. As in the first edition, Paris provides a comprehensive overview of what every clinician seeing patients with BPD needs to know. Covering important advances in the field, the second edition incorporates double the science but remains a source of boiled-down clinical wisdom. I love Paris’s commentary on his personal journey learning about and researching the disorder, which makes the book even more engaging.”--Lois W. Choi-Kain, MD, MEd, Director, Adult Borderline Center and Training Institute, and Program and Medical Director, Gunderson Residence, McLean Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

• IntroductionI. Definitions1. Making the Diagnosis2. Dimensional Models3. Boundaries with Other Mental DisordersII. Causes4. BPD across the Life Cycle5. Risk Factors6. A General ModelIII. Treatment7. Outcome8. Pharmacotherapy9. Psychotherapy10. Brief Treatment and Stepped Care11. Guidelines for Management12. Stigma and Families13. Therapeutic Interventions14. Problems in Therapy15. Suicidality and Hospitalization16. Research DirectionsReferencesIndex