DBT and Escitalopram in Borderline Personality Disorder

Effects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Escitalopram on Impulsive Aggression, Affective Instability and Cognitive Processing in Borderline Personality Disorder

Subjects will receive six months of DBT, consisting of one 90-minute group and one 60-minute individual session per week as well as telephone availability of the individual therapist. Half the subjects will concurrently receive escitalopram while half will receive placebo, in a randomized double-blind design.

Inclusion Criteria: Is a male or female between 18 and 60 who meets criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder and has been off psychotropic medications for at least 2 weeks (6 weeks for fluoxetine).

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Exclusion Criteria: Meets criteria for Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Mental Retardation, current or recent Substance Dependence or a current Major Depressive Episode. Subjects also should not currently be in individual psychotherapy. (Case management and work therapy programs are allowed.)

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