Brief Overview:

This study provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), supportive psychotherapy, and/or fluoxetine (Prozac) to treat suicidal behavior and self-injury in outpatients with borderline personality disorder.

Eligibility:

• Ages 18 to 55
• Meet criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder
• Has a history of at least two suicide attempts and/or self-injury episodes (e.g., cutting, burning, head-banging, striking self, skin picking), with at least one occurring within the last five years and at least one in the last six months
• Stable living arrangement
• Not currently receiving optimal psychiatric treatment
• Willing and judged to be clinically able to be washed out of psychotropic medications except for occasional benzodiazepine (e.g., Ativan) use for 2-6 weeks prior to treatment
• Women cannot be pregnant and must be using an effective form of birth control
  

Benefits to participant:

• Free, thorough clinical evaluation by doctoral-level psychologist and/or psychiatrist
• No-cost outpatient treatment
  

For more information about participating,
or if you have questions about the study, please contact:

Dr. Barbara Stanley, PhD or Shelly Groves, BA

Phone: 212-543-6232
Email: sgroves@neuron.cpmc.columbia.edu

Study FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
DBT is a cognitive-behavioral treatment with two components: individual therapy and weekly group skills training:

The individual treatment focuses on target behaviors which the patient tracks on a daily basis using diary cards. Suicidal and self-mutilating behaviors are at the top of the hierarchy and are examined each week. Behavioral analyses of suicidal and self-mutilating acts take place routinely in order to help the patient identify triggers and alternative strategies for coping. Change strategies such as problem solving and reinforcement techniques are utilized in combination with acceptance and validation of the patient's experience.

Group skills training consists of a combination of teaching new skills to patients and having them practice the skills the skills through homework assignments. These skills include: awareness of emotions and reactions, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.

2. How often are my therapy sessions?
One hour therapy sessions are conducted at least once per week.

3. Can I choose the type of therapy I want?
No, you are randomly place in either of the two therapeutic modes.

4. Can I continue seeing my current therapist and/or psychiatrist?
No, you must discontinue seeing your current therapist and/or psychiatrist for the duration of the time you are enrolled in the treatment study. At the end of the treatment you can be referred back to your previous therapist and/or psychiatrist.

5. Do I need to stop taking my current medications?
Do not abruptly stop taking any medication! If you are enrolled into the study you will be tapered off your current medication under the supervision of a psychiatrist.

6. Can I participate without taking the study medication?
No, you must take the medication provided through the treatment study. Failure to take the medication will result in you being withdrawn from the study.

7. Do I get compensated?
No, this study offers no compensation. However, you will receive one year of medication and/or psychotherapy at no cost to you.

8. Do I get reimbursed for carfare?
No.

9. Are the therapy sessions done during normal business hours?
We do our best to accommodate participants that are working and need see therapist out side normal business hours.

10. What is level of training does the therapists have?
All our therapists are trained at the PhD level and our DBT therapist have been received intensive DBT training from its developers.