KEYNOTE ABSTRACTS

Can Metacognitive Therapy be Used to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder?

The author presents the ERIS protocol, which is the treatment program of Metacognitive therapy for borderline personality disorder. In the ERIS protocol there are three problem domains that must be targeted in treatment. First, the patient’s vulnerability for deprivation and abandonment in interpersonal settings. Second, the self-regulatory problems causing emotional and behavioural instability and poor impulse control. Third the maladaptive coping styles of self-harming behaviours, withdrawal/attacking behaviour and sustained worry and rumination related to issues of control and abandonment.
My presentation will provide an outline of the ERIS protocol. Characteristics of the treatment are that it has a brief format (10-12 months); it aims to increase emotional self-regulation and modify metacognitions; and integrate community health services as part of the treatment. The author presents a case series and an open trial of treatment for borderline personality disorder using this approach. The ERIS protocol seems to be a very promising treatment based on these first studies. However, the long-term effects, exceeding 12 months have yet to be investigated.