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Cognitive–behavioural therapy as a comprehensive treatment for personality disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2023

Diogo Carreiras Open the ORCID record for Diogo Carreiras [Opens in a new window] ,
Paula Castilho Open the ORCID record for Paula Castilho [Opens in a new window] ,
Daniel Rijo Open the ORCID record for Daniel Rijo [Opens in a new window] ,
Maria do Céu Salvador Open the ORCID record for Maria do Céu Salvador [Opens in a new window]  and
Carlos Carona Open the ORCID record for Carlos Carona [Opens in a new window]
Diogo Carreiras*
Affiliation:
Researcher in clinical psychology in the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. His research focuses on self-relation and the assessment and development of borderline personality disorder in adolescence.
Paula Castilho
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor at the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. She has extensive clinical practice and conducts research in the CINEICC, mostly focusing on evolutionary psychopathology and compassion-focused therapy.
Daniel Rijo
Affiliation:
Associate Professor at the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal, a researcher in the CINEICC and a schema therapist. His research focuses on personality disorders, antisocial behaviour and the changeability of psychopathic traits in young offenders using compassion-focused approaches.
Maria do Céu Salvador
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor at the University of Coimbra and a researcher in the CINEICC, Coimbra, Portugal. She has wide experience in delivering cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents. Her research interests include CBT models and interventions for adolescents and adults.
Carlos Carona
Affiliation:
Academic researcher in the CINEICC, Coimbra, Portugal. He is also a clinical psychologist with an advanced specialty in psychotherapy and a lecturer in the fields of psychotherapy, cognitive–behavioural interventions and scientific methodology. His main clinical and research interests include: CBT, developmental psychopathology, philosophy of science and clinical communication.
*
Correspondence Diogo Carreiras. Email: diogocarreiras1@gmail.com
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Summary

Personality disorders are a group of psychological disorders characterised by a developmental nature, long-lasting impairment and emotional suffering. Personality disorders have an estimated prevalence rate of approximately 8% in community settings, but in in-patient settings the rate might be as high as 76%. Cognitive–behavioural therapies (CBTs) include psychotherapies that emphasise the identification and modification of maladaptive thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to the maintenance of psychological disorders. CBTs have demonstrated their effectiveness in treating various types of personality disorder. This article focuses on the nature of personality disorders and their categorial and dimensional assessment and neurobiology. We present three influential CBT models used in personality disorders: schema therapy, cognitive interpersonal therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. For each one, we outline the rationale, intervention strategies and therapeutic techniques, with practical examples and summary tables to illustrate their application.

Keywords

Cognitive–behavioural therapypersonality disordersschema therapycognitive interpersonal therapydialectical behaviour therapy
Type
Article
Information
BJPsych Advances , First View , pp. 1 - 14
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

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