The effect of hospital treatment on depression and anxiety in patients with borderline personality organization

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The aim of our study was to measure the efficacy of hospital treatment on patients with severe personality disorder. All patients admitted during 1989 to a ward specialized in this were scored by the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and questionnaires designed to determine the psychiatric symtpoms experienced at the beginning and end of the treatment. The staff made an independent estimation of the treatment outcome. The body image was mapped by a Draw a Human Figure Test. A total of 66 patients formed the final material, with a mean age of 31.8 years. The average treatment period was 88 days. A combination of treatment modalities, including dynamic psychotherapy and psychopharmacological treatments were used. All scores showed a reduction in anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms. These changes were in line with the staff's own evaluation. The overall psychosocial adaptation of the patients improved. We conclude that hospital treatment is still indicated for this type of patient in a situation in which their uncontrolled anxiety and psychosocial chaos cannot be regulated in an outpatient setting. For significant results to be achieved, treatment must be tailored to include active confrontation with the patient by working through the prevalent symptoms and psychosocial problems.