Reputation and science: examining the effectiveness of DBT in the treatment of borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Objective:

This paper examines the evidence base for dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) in the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Conclusion:

DBT has built an impressive reputation within psychology and psychiatry as an effective treatment for deliberate self harm and chronic suicidal behaviours in patients with BPD. However, when each of the randomised controlled trials that comprise this evidence base is examined carefully, the actual results are less convincing about DBT’s positive reputation.