Approaches to working with people with BPD for psychiatrists

BPD is common in both public and private psychiatry. It is estimated that upwards of 10% of clients presenting to outpatient psychiatry services would meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Regardless of area of practice, a specialist psychiatrist is certain to have clinical interactions with people who are living with BPD. Given the high prevalence of BPD in outpatient psychiatry, the skills covered in this interactive workshop are essential for specialist psychiatrists in both public and private practice.

This half day workshop is to assist Psychiatrists assess and work with people with BPD using psychological treatment principles. Evidence-based psychotherapy treatments, which have been limited to specialist clinics for many years, are now understood to be part of a common approach to BPD which can be delivered in a modified form by single practitioners in both private and public practice setting. This workshop will also provide an opportunity for discussing complex BPD patients with other co-existing psychiatric disorders.

By the completion of the workshop, participants will have improved:

1. Assessment and diagnosis of BPD

2. Knowledge of epidemiology, prognosis and evidenced-based treatments for BPD

3. Knowledge of the role of pharmacotherapy, ECT and TMS in BPD

4. Skills in risk assessment and risk management

5. Understanding of the role of emergency department and psychiatric inpatient facilities in the management of BPD

6. Competence in the delivery of psychotherapeutic interventions in private practice

7. Treatment of BPD in the context of co-morbid psychiatric disorders.

Participants will be provided with a pre, post and 3 month follow-up workshop questionnaire that must be completed in order to claim RANZCP CPD activity under Practice Development and Review (Section 3.1).

FACILITATORS:

Associate Professor Sathya Rao is a psychiatrist and the Executive Clinical Director of Spectrum Personality Disorder Service. He is the Vice President of the Australian BPD Foundation. He is also an adjunct clinical associate professor at Monash University. Dr Rao is involved in clinical research and has published research papers, contributed chapters and co-authored books on borderline personality disorder. He was a member of the NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines development committee, 2012. He has taught clinicians across Australia and was the head of psychiatry training program of Victoria for the RANZCP previously. He is involved in treating complex personality disorder patients and provides second opinions and secondary consultations for complex clinical conditions associated with personality disorders. He was the recipient of the 2020 Meritorious Award of the Victorian Branch of RANZCP. In recognition of his contributions to psychiatry he received the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (General Division) in June 2022.

Dr Mithira Nithianandan is a consultant psychiatrist and Acting Executive Clinical Director at Spectrum Personality Disorder Service. She has had training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Metallization Based Treatment. Dr Nithianandan believes that training and support for the mental health workforce are crucial for addressing the needs of people with personality disorder. She has a particular interest in supporting primary care providers in working therapeutically with clients living with BPD.

Who should attend? Psychiatrists working within the public or private health sector.