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Mentalization-Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide

Online ISBN:
9780191835568
Print ISBN:
9780199680375
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Mentalization-Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide

Anthony Bateman,
Anthony Bateman

Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist and MBT co-ordinator

Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist and MBT co-ordinator, Anna Freud Centre, London; Visiting Professor University College, London; Honorary Professor in Psychotherapy University of Copenhagen
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Peter Fonagy
Peter Fonagy

Head of the Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology and Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis

Head of the Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology and Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, University College London; CEO of the Anna Freud Centre, London
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Published:
January 2016
Online ISBN:
9780191835568
Print ISBN:
9780199680375
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

This practical guide on mentalization-based treatment (MBT) of personality disorders outlines the mentalizing model of borderline and antisocial personality disorders and how it translates into clinical treatment. Mentalizing, the ability to understand oneself and others by inferring mental states that lie behind overt behavior, develops within the context of attachment relationships. It is crucial to self-regulation and constructive, intimate relationships, both of which are impaired in personality disorders because of proneness to losing mentalizing at times of anxiety and attachment stress. Loss of mentalizing leads to interpersonal and social problems, emotional variability, impulsivity, self-destructive behaviors, and violence. The book, divided into four parts—the mentalizing framework, mentalizing practice, mentalizing groups, and mentalizing systems—covers the aims and structure of treatment, outlines how patients are introduced to the mentalizing model so that their personality disorder makes sense to them, explains why certain interventions are recommended and others are discouraged, and systematically describes the process of treatment in both group and individual therapy to support more stable mentalizing. People with personality disorders commonly have comorbid mental health problems, such as depression and eating disorders, which complicate clinical treatment. The clinician is advised how to manage comorbidity in treatment. Mentalizing problems in families and social systems, for example, schools and mental health services, are also covered. A families and carers training and support guide is provided, as families and others are often neglected during the treatment of people with personality disorders.

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