Borderline Personality Disorder Clinical Books

Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality by John F. Clarkin, Frank E. Yeomans, Otto F. Kernberg

Shorter Term Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorders by John D. Preston  

Patty Pheil M.S.W.:  This is a book written primarily for clinicians but I also feel BPDs can learn from it. Initially, he presents a very important problem in treating BPDs. One that I have always felt. When discussing long term therapy, he states "..I suspect that only a tiny percent of borderline patients can afford such treatment." Also discussed are the limitations that some HMOs have that prevent treating the BPD. He also states "Borderline patients are often so dysfunctional that they do not have the ability to earn a good income and/or they experience significant occupational instability...The bottom line is this: These people who suffer so much cannot afford long term treatment..." He discusses BPD symptomology, therapeutic strategies and even discusses how the limbic system in the brain is damaged and how medication can help. I recommend this book to clinicians, borderlines and families.

Reader:  "Even though John G. Gunderson's book Borderline Personality Disorder is written about borderlines, and not to them, it offers an excellent look into the disorder for borderlines, acquaintances of borderlines, and people who work with borderlines. For borderlines, it provides a unique voyeuristic look into Gunderson's frank discussion of the borderline disorder, and it's hostages. Dr. Gunderson begins by naming, defining and subdividing the characteristic criteria and shows how they are displayed by the borderline patient. He offers case examples to support his statements. He details such effects as self destructiveness, aggression, anger, validation, splitting, transferences, psychotic regression, depression, devaluation, dissociation, hospitalization, suicide, pharmacotherapy, therapy and therapist attributes. He has one entire chapter devoted to the borderline name called The Term Borderline. Each chapter is summarized and an index avails the reader quick access to particular topics. At no time does the borderline reader need to fear feeling belittled or embarrassed reading this material. Dr. Gunderson describes the borderline patient with respect and understanding throughout all the book's 204 pages.. "