Biological Effects of Schema Therapy

Launched by JENA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Apr 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of two different types of therapy on patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a condition that can make it hard to manage emotions. The trial will compare "emotion-focused" therapy, which includes techniques like role play and guided imagery, to a "cognitive" therapy that focuses more on education and discussion. Over nine weeks, participants will receive one of these therapies, and researchers will look at how well each approach helps improve emotional regulation and affects brain chemistry. They will use advanced brain imaging techniques to assess changes in certain brain chemicals and how different areas of the brain connect with each other before and after treatment.

To participate, individuals must be between 18 and 30 years old, female, and right-handed, and they should meet the specific criteria for BPD without currently taking certain medications or having prior therapy experiences. Participants can expect a supportive group environment during the therapy sessions and will be monitored for their emotional progress and any changes in brain function. This trial aims to find out which therapy might be more effective in helping individuals manage their emotions and improve their overall mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients are eligible if they
• • fulfil diagnostic criteria (1.-4. see below) of BPD according to the Alternative DSM-5 Model (Sec-tion III of DSM 5, p 761ff (APA, 2013),
• • are between 18 and 30 years of age,
• • are female,
• • are right-handed,
• • are free of any treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotic or mood stabilizing medication (sporadic use of tranquillizers to induce sleep will be permitted)
• • have never been in psychotherapy before (in particular DBT, ST, CBT, TBP),
• • are willing to participate in (group) therapy,
• • are willing to participate in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients will be excluded if they
• • acutely suffer suicidal ideas,
• • suffer manifest affective or anxiety disorder ac-cording to DSM-5 criteria or have a lifetime his-tory of or current psychotic disorder (except brief psychotic disorder according to the DSM-5),
• • present a clinically manifest trauma-related dis-order (in particular PTSD),
• • suffer dissociative identity disorder, substance dependence needing clinical detoxification, ano-rexia nervosa with BMI \< 14 or a serious and/or unstable medical illness,
• • have an IQ below 80,
• • are at any risk in terms of MRI investigations