BPD and Couple Dysfunctions

[David Baxter PhD]

BPD and Couple Dysfunctions
Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association
February 13, 2009

Bourchard et al. (2009) recently published an interesting article on Borderline Personality Disorder and Couple Dysfunctions. The article entails a compilation of the available data in the following areas in reference to BPD:

• Union formation and durability;
• Partner choice and partner well being;
• Relationship Satisfaction;
• Intimate Violence;
• Attachment Security and
• Sexual Functioning.

The article also broaches on the clinical implications surrounding this compilation of data. It is known that relationship related stress is prevalent and overall satisfaction is limited in couples where one partner suffers from BPD (Truant, 1994). There has been a growing concern on how partner choice influences the efficacy of treatments and intensity of symptoms in BPD (Paris et al., 1995). A lot of the literature on this subject is dated and needs to be refreshed, Bourchard recognizes this. Few studies have focused implicitly on solely BPD couple functioning and satisfaction; although it is known that preoccupied and fearful attachment styles are overrepresented in the BPD population (Levy et al, 2005). In a study by Bouchard et al (2009) it was found that in 68.6 % of cases both partners displayed representation of insecure attachment. Bradbury (2001) found that couples that were insecurely attached in an unsatisfying relationship typically outlast securely attached couples.

Bouchard (2009) advocates the education of partners of people with BPD to help reduce symptomatology, enhance intimate conflict coping strategies and also educate younger people with BPD to have a heightened self awareness of the type of partners they are attracted to. A study covered in the article by the National Institute of Mental Health in 2008 states that people with BPD often make poor choices when it comes to choosing a partner, their relationships are marked by shared personality traits of delinquency and aggression (Blackwell et al , 2000). Bouchard (2009), Fruzzetti (2006), Truant (1994) and Paris et al (1995) all see the most efficacious approach to treating women with BPD through a couples approach.

??the intimate partner can be viewed as a vicarious victim or an unrecognized contributor to the manifestations of BPD? (Bouchard, 2009)​

References
Blackwell DL, Lichter DT. Mate selection among married and cohabitating couples. J Fam Issues 2000, 21:275-302

Bouchard S, Sabourin S, Lussier Y, Villenueve E. Relationship quality and stability in couples when one partner suffers from borderline personality disorder. J Marital Fam Ther 2009 (in press)

Levy LN, Meehan KB, Weber M, et al. Attachment and borderline personality disorder: implications for psychotherapy. Psychopathology 2005, 38:64-74

Fruzetti AE. The High-Conflict Couple: A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Guide to Finding Peace, Intimacy, and Validation. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications;2006.

National Institute of Mental Health. Borderline Personality Disorder: Raising questions, finding answers.

Paris J, Braveman S. Successful and unsuccessful marriages in borderline patients. J Am Acad Psychoanal, 23: 137-150.

Truant GS. Personality diagnosis and childhood care associated with adult marital quality. Can J Psychiatry 1994 39:269-276