Effectiveness of psychosocial treatments on suicidality in personality disorders

Abstract

Objective: Axis II disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder, are highly associated with suicidal behaviours. This paper aims to evaluate treatment of suicidality in borderline personality disorder.

Method: Systematic review of the empirical literature on the clinical effectiveness of psychosocial treatments in reducing suicidal behaviours in patients with personality disorders. A summary of empirical findings is presented, and recommendations for clinical practice are offered.

Results: While there is currently a dearth of well-controlled treatment trials, interest in this field of research is growing, and several recent randomized controlled trials support the effectiveness of certain interventions.

Conclusion: Several different types of psychosocial interventions are associated with reductions in suicidal behaviour.