More than 60 Puget Sound area residents suffering from borderline personality disorder are needed as volunteers for two University of Washington studies aimed at refining a particular therapeutic treatment for the disorder.
A serious psychiatric condition, borderline personality disorder is marked by emotional instability, difficulty in maintaining close relationships, eating disorders, chronic uncertainty about life goals, and impulsive and addictive behaviors such as legal and illegal controlled substance abuse. People with this multiple spectrum disorder condition may also engage in self-injurious behaviors or attempt suicide.
According to Marsha Linehan, UW psychology professor and director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinic, an estimated 5.8 to 8.7 million Americans, primarily women, suffer from this "multiple spectrum" disorder. Linehan is directing the UW studies and plans on utilizing a variety of state-of-the-art behavioral treatments. Medication will be prescribed to participants as needed.
The two studies are part of a research effort aimed at distilling the essential elements of therapeutic approaches to effectively treat borderline personality disorder both in a community health setting. The study also seeks improved ways of treating the disorder in specialized populations.
Do you qualify?
The first study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, requires the participation of 33 women who have a long-standing pattern of using inappropriate behavior to extract themselves from emotional pain. Women who have a serious psychotic disorder, or a seizure disorder requiring medication, are not eligible.
The second study, bankrolled by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, seeks 29 men and women who are addicted to heroin. Half of the folks in this study will receive suboxone, a new replacement drug, and dialectical behavior therapy while the other half will receive suboxone plus group and individual drug counseling. Addicts who are currently receiving adequate treatment via methadone or another opiate replacement medication may not participate.
To become a participant in either study, people need to be between the ages of 18 and 60. Potential participants also need to live close enough to the Seattle campus (as far north as Everett and as far south as Tacoma) to ensure they receive treatment once or twice a week. All people accepted as study volunteers will receive outpatient treatment at low, or no, cost. Volunteers can be self-referred or referred by a therapist, family member, or friend.
Contact LaTheena Jones, participant coordinator at the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics, with questions or an interest to volunteer. Jones may be reached at 206-543-2782, extension 1, or at latheena@brtc.psych.washington.edu.
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