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These early maladaptive schema’s are self defeating emotional and cognitive patterns that begin early in our development and repeat throughout life. These schema’s then cause self defeating patterns or behaviours, i.e., difficulty in relationships, intense anger and attention seeking behaviour which can lead to depression and anxiety. Unless underlying schema has been healed or modified then self defeating behaviours will constantly repeat themselves resulting in client dipping in and out of depression and anxiety. Borderline clients will find themselves limping from crisis to crisis and service to service with no stability in their lives.
Treatment focuses on identifying maladaptive schema’s and lack of attachments or indeed dysfunctional attachments in childhood and adolescence. These deficits will be linked to present problems encountered in life. The therapist and client through therapy will attempt to heal dysfunctional schema’s which will result in less mental health difficulties and a more stable lifestyle.
Research
The latest research which has yet to be published by Arnoud Arntz on a clinical trial of schema-focused therapy for BPD reports that 50% of those treated no longer met criteria for BPD. Young,J.E, (2004) Conference, Strandmillis College, Belfast. Psychological Society.
References
Beck, A.T. Freeman, A., & Associates. (1990). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. New York: Guilford Press.
Young, J.E., Klosko, J.S., Weishaar, M.E. (2003). Schema Therapy. A practitioners guide. New York. Guilford Press.
Self Help
Young, J.E., Klosko, J.S. (1994) Reinventing your life. New York. Plume.
Web sites http://schematherapy.com
http://cognitive-therapist.co.uk
By Ken Walsh
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, (Nov, 2004)
Ken Walsh is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working in the private sector in Belfast, N.Ireland. He has 25 years experience working in the field of mental health.