Re:Meditation for Borderline Personality Disorder

Thanks for writing Melissa,
You may want to post this question on the Meditation in Psychotherapy dialogue in BehaviorOnLine.com. Hundreds of therapists read this and could comment. If you like, I can have this posted and you can look at responses. Let me know.

In the meantime, my experience in leading level 2 Borderline groups is that body-focused meditations (breath in different parts of the body) is very welcome indeed by borderlines. It helps with mental focus, teaching a self-comforting, and is a way to begin and end groups in a quiet, "bonding" way. Yes, they will be vigilant, yes they will be distracted, but if you explain this as part of the process, they will "get it." I've been doing this successfully with them for years.
I have also had success with binge eating disorder, and feel it is an essential part of their treatment. Some good success with most bulemics (other ways to self comfort and to control their thoughts and impulses). But with anorexics, I've not had much success. For them, Yoga or controlled exercise seems to be best.

I believe that Marsha Linehan also uses meditation with her Level 2's, and I think that the body-focus (as long as you focus them on neutral or positive sensations) is best.

Let me know how it goes,

Jim

Replies:

Re:Meditation for Borderline Personality Disorder, by client, 01/24/03

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