Mentalizing and borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Background: Mentalization-based treatment is a model of psychodynamic therapy rooted in attachment theory that aims to enhance the individual's capacity to represent thoughts, feelings, wishes, beliefs and desires in themselves and in others in the context of attachment relationships.

Aims: To describe the normal development of mentalization as well as anomalies in mentalization that can arise and can ultimately lead to the development of personality disorder.

Method: Description of the basic principles of mentalization-based treatment as well as the rationale for use of these techniques.

Results: Summaries of randomized controlled trial and a description of an ongoing RCT for the outpatient treatment of BPD.

Conclusion: MBT is a generic psychotherapeutic treatment which shares many features with other psychotherapeutic approaches but is unique in focusing on enhancing the patient's capacity to think about and regulate mental states.

Keywords:

• Mentalization-based treatment
• borderline personality disorder