This study was motivated by encounters with persons with repeated suicidality in clinical psychiatry. Their suicide attempts are frequently regarded as manipulative, and the patients are often labelled a “borderline personality disorder”. They cause frustration and are sometimes met with repellent attitudes among clinicians, but clinical experience as well as research shows that their personal history regularly includes severe childhood trauma and often childhood sexual abuse. The first part of the study was undertaken to investigate the frequency of borderline personality disorder among consecutive persons admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt, the experience of adverse life events among them and the motives for the act. The concept and definition of parasuicide was used as inclusion criterion. During the 10 months of the study 81% of all parasuicide inpatients gave their consent to partake, altogether 64 patients, 41 women and 23 men. Standardized instruments were used for assessment of personality disorders, and self-report questionnaires were used to investigate motives and adverse life events. Seven years later, follow-up interviews were conducted with 51 of these persons, 32 women and 19 men. This second part of the study used qualitative methods in the form of thematic open-ended interviews to allow for the patients’ own descriptions of their suicidality and mental health in the years following the suicide attempt. The role of psychiatry in this process was one of the themes in the interview. Use of psychiatric treatment and support during the follow-up period was investigated through a review of the medical charts recorded at the psychiatric clinic. The quantitative part of the study showed that among the parasuicide patients there was a considerable overrepresentation of borderline personality disorder, and that the frequency of adverse life events was much higher in this subgroup. The motives for the parasuicide did not differ between those with borderline personality disorder and the others. Childhood sexual abuse could be identified as the most important factor influencing suicidality and extent of psychiatric treatment after the index parasuicide. The patients’ own descriptions in the follow-up interview were related to the theoretical perspectives of symbolic interactionism, therapeutic alliance, perception of difference, empowerment and the concept of modernity. In the narratives a picture emerges of a psychiatric health care that carries the potential to offer therapeutic relationships, but often fails in its aims. In therapeutic alliances built on personal relationships, characterized by close and frequent encounters and a focus not only the weaknesses but also the strengths of the patient, there was room for personal development. A reliance on therapeutic method instead of a therapeutic alliance with the patient and a lack of a collaborative perspective in therapeutic work set definite hindrances for the therapeutic process, according to the views of the patients. Regardless of the severity of the life experiences and personality dimensions that had lead to the parasuicide, the core prerequisite for subsequent stabilisation was an orientation towards significant others that saw and supported the potential for change and helped redefine the situation. These significant others were sometimes found in the psychiatric health care services, but were mainly found outside of psychiatry. The conclusions of the study are that there is a close correlation between repeated suicidality, borderline personality disorder, female gender and adverse events such as childhood sexual abuse, and that the repeated suicidality is better explained by adverse events such as childhood sexual abuse than by personality disorder. This background seriously challenges repellent attitudes towards these patients. The narratives of the patients pose definite challenges for the therapeutic community to embrace new ways to find working therapeutic alliances after a parasuicide, possibly based around perspectives of empowerment and mutuality. Identifying the processes that helps the person find “the difference that makes a difference” should be in focus of future psychiatric research and at the heart of psychiatric support and treatment after parasuicide, to enable the patients to find their own strengths and resources and in this way be able to leave it all behind.

The aim of this paper was to illuminate the effect of mentalizationbased psychotherapy. The patients in the survey group were interviewed before and after treatment with regard to specific symptoms of borderline personality disorder and symptoms of other personality disorders with the semi structured interviews ZAN-BPD and SCID-II. Open interview questions that were worked up in a qualitative manner were as well put to the patients that had received the treatment program. A focus group interview with the staff working with the concept within the frame of the MBT-team of Psychiatry southwest in Stockholm was also carried out. The result shows on a group level between the pre and post measuring a reduction of specific borderline symptoms like impulsivity and cognitive symptoms. Symptoms referring to relations were stable and affective symptoms increased. All of the nine interviewed patients experienced that they to different extent felt more stable after treatment. That was an impression shared of the MBT team personnel. In the discussion part of the paper the discrepancy of the result that were gained from the two semi structured interviews and the questions put to patients and staff are discussed. Of interest to further research would be to study closer if there are common factors in background and comorbidity for the patients that seamed to have most benefit from treatment.

No description available.

This thesis provides a psychological insight of the protagonist in Patrick Süskind’s monodrama Der Kontrabass in order to reveal his suffering from a contemporarily increasing psychical disease. This mental illness is called “borderline personality disorder” (BPD). One theory concerning the causes of this disease locates its roots in societal changes. Therefore, the contemporary society is even labelled as “borderline-era” in Kreisman’s and Straus’ book I Hate You – Don’t Leave Me (1989). In terms of definition, I will explain the eight distinctive criteria, out oh which five have to be applicable on the respective person. This psychological work makes up one part of the theoretical basis for my interpretation and shows the up-to-datedness of the protagonist’s problems. Besides this approach, I will also refer to some of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theories, because the protagonist himself utters allusions to the oedipal complex and the human drives. In this respect, I will give a short summary of Freud’s descriptions of the relevant concepts. Here, the role of the instrument will be appreciated, as well, since the contrabass player refers to it as he would refer to an other human being. Thus, I will briefly point out the different ways, in which the contrabass is personificated by its owner. However, not only these aspects are interesting in order to achieve a convincing interpretation of the protagonist’s character. Therefore, the formal aspects of this play will be considered as well, since they contribute to the creation of its overall mood. This mood reflects the inner disruption of the tragicomic protagonist, since it is ambivalent as well. Concluding the interpretation, the different possibilities concerning the open ending will be discussed. Afterwards, I will give a short summary of my results and finish my thesis with suggestions for further research on Süskind’s Der Kontrabass.

Abstract Introduction. Approximately 88.000 cases of assault were reported to the Swedish police during 2010. Twenty-five percent of these cases were considered as violence against women. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide issue and poses a major threat to women’s health. In Sweden, 17 women are killed each year by an intimate partner. This study aimed at increasing the knowledge of perpetrators of intimate partner homicide (IPH), in terms of type of mental disorder and type of deadly violence exerted. Method. A total of 49 forensic psychiatric investigations were obtained from the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine in Huddinge. Eighteen perpetrators of IPH were compared to 31 perpetrators of deadly violence in a non-intimate relationship. Comparisons were made by coding principal diagnoses as described in the forensic psychiatric investigations, and type of deadly violence exerted using the Cornell coding guide for violent incidents. Results. Perpetrators of IPH were, to a greater extent, diagnosed with a dysphoric or borderline personality disorder (BPD), whereas perpetrators of deadly violence in a non-intimate relationship were significantly more often diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Perpetrators of IPH used more deadly violence with reactive features, whereas perpetrators of deadly violence in a non-intimate relationship used significantly more deadly violence with instrumental features. Discussion. The results of this study are in agreement with previous research. In conclusion, perpetrators of IPH are more reactive in their deadly violence and less antisocial, in terms of being diagnosed with ASPD and previous convictions, compared to perpetrators of deadly violence in a non-intimate relationship. This may be helpful in terms of preventing future risk for IPV and IPH.

This thesis provides a psychological insight of the protagonist in Patrick Süskind’s monodrama Der Kontrabass in order to reveal his suffering from a contemporarily increasing psychical disease. This mental illness is called “borderline personality disorder” (BPD). One theory concerning the causes of this disease locates its roots in societal changes. Therefore, the contemporary society is even labelled as “borderline-era” in Kreisman’s and Straus’ book I Hate You – Don’t Leave Me (1989). In terms of definition, I will explain the eight distinctive criteria, out oh which five have to be applicable on the respective person. This psychological work makes up one part of the theoretical basis for my interpretation and shows the up-to-datedness of the protagonist’s problems. Besides this approach, I will also refer to some of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theories, because the protagonist himself utters allusions to the oedipal complex and the human drives. In this respect, I will give a short summary of Freud’s descriptions of the relevant concepts. Here, the role of the instrument will be appreciated, as well, since the contrabass player refers to it as he would refer to an other human being. Thus, I will briefly point out the different ways, in which the contrabass is personificated by its owner. However, not only these aspects are interesting in order to achieve a convincing interpretation of the protagonist’s character. Therefore, the formal aspects of this play will be considered as well, since they contribute to the creation of its overall mood. This mood reflects the inner disruption of the tragicomic protagonist, since it is ambivalent as well. Concluding the interpretation, the different possibilities concerning the open ending will be discussed. Afterwards, I will give a short summary of my results and finish my thesis with suggestions for further research on Süskind’s Der Kontrabass.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-178).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. John Patrick Kline, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Psychology. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 6, 2003). Includes bibliographical references.

The proposed study has one central purpose, to determine if the Comprehensive System (CS), an empirically valid system for scoring and interpreting the Rorschach Inkblot Test, can effectively discriminate between individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Previously conducted, peer-reviewed studies since 1985 have uncovered CS variables that were statistically significant in BPD and in bipolar groups when examined separately. However, there have been relatively few such investigations, making the body of research with CS variables small in this area. It would be valuable to know whether or not the CS is a useful tool in distinguishing between these two disorders. A second goal of the current study is to uncover variables that help diagnose both bipolar disorder and BPD as separate entities. Some CS variables have not been previously studied with regard bipolar disorder or BPD. Additional research with variables known to be useful in identifying these disorders will cross-validate findings that already exist. Moreover, if the Rorschach could help classify individuals with these disorders and uncover distinct differences between them in their test results, these data would also lend support for the idea that these are indeed two different disorders, a tertiary goal of the current study. / text

Narcissism is an incomplete stage of development causing narcissistic rage and injury to oneself and others. The narcissistic self is one of humiliation and of being powerless. A phenomenological hermeneutic research format was used to investigate and understand the lived experience of men who have been abusive and are transforming their narcissism. The phenomenon being investigated was approached with respect and sensitivity in understanding the actual lived experiences of the co-researchers. Under this template, research interviews were conducted with six male co-researchers, which produced eight themes. A summary of the findings was provided along with a look at the limitations of this study and implications for counseling that this study may have. My hypothesis is that the incomplete development of the narcissistic person can be overcome through the restoration of feeling, and also through realization of one’s most deepest and essential nature. / vii, 177 leaves ; 29 cm.