Problem-specific skills training -a report about the applicability and acceptance in an in-patient setting

Abstract

The introduction of personality disorders in the international classification systems has created an important basis for treatments that are adapted specifically to the problems encountered by personality disordered patients. Specific therapeutic concepts, mainly in the domain of cognitive-behavioural therapy, permit a problem-oriented and efficient approach in the treatment of patients with personality disorders. Dialectical behavior therapy according to Marsha M. Linehan (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioural therapy, which includes individual and concomitant group therapy, that is conceived as a behavioural skills training. This therapeutic concept was initially developed as a problem-specific concept for the treatment of female patients with borderline personality disorder. In our study the 4 modules of the skills training (mindfulness skills, emotional regulation skills, interpersonal skills, and distress tolerance skills) were offered to patients with different personality disorders, who showed self-injurious behaviour, identity and emotion regulation problems. Patients were asked to evaluate the training by self-rating questionnaires.

Keywords:
Personality disorder, skills training, disorder specific, evaluation.