Frontiers in Psychiatry (Dec 2022)

Mentalizing the patient–Patient experiences with short-term mentalization-based therapy for borderline personality disorder: A qualitative study

  • Emilie Hestbæk,
  • Mathilde Hasselby-Andersen,
  • Mathilde Hasselby-Andersen,
  • Sophie Juul,
  • Sophie Juul,
  • Nynne Beier,
  • Sebastian Simonsen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1088872
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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BackgroundMentalization-based therapy (MBT) is an evidence-supported psychotherapy approach for borderline personality disorder (BPD) that has been implemented in mental health services worldwide. Originally, MBT was developed as an 18-months program for BPD. However, a short-term (5 months) MBT program has been developed. Research into patient experiences with long-term MBT for BPD is scarce, and no studies have investigated patient experience with short-term MBT for BPD.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore patient experience with short-term MBT for BPD in the Danish mental health services.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 outpatients diagnosed with BPD, who attended short-term MBT for 5 months. The interviews were verbatim transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis with double coding.ResultsThe analysis resulted in four subordinate themes: (1) Treatment duration – too short or appropriately short?, (2) The group as a “safe space,” (3) Bad experiences impacted treatment negatively, and (4) My life has changed for the better.ConclusionThe results suggest that most of the patients were overall satisfied with short-term MBT, which they experienced as having a positive impact on their lives. However, a subgroup of patients wanted more therapy. This study highlighted the strengths and limitations of short-term MBT for BPD as experienced by the patients, and points to barriers in developing service-user informed short-term treatment options for BPD.

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