Status and perspectives on research in psychotherapeutic treatment of borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental disorder which historically has been the object of considerable therapeutic nihilism. This article
provides a state-of-the-art review of the existing evidence on psychotherapeutic treatment of borderline personality disorder and concludes that there
is basis for moderate optimism, whilst also recognizing that there is plenty of room for improvement. We close the paper by pointing towards new
areas for future research in order to move the field forward, including research on how to personalize psychotherapy to the individual patient, and
makes a plea to focus more on evidence-based principles rather than branded treatments, as well as highlighting the need more research and focus on extratherapeutic, social, and societal factors.