Individualised Vocational Support For Youth With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,359,118.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder that can significantly disrupt normal vocational (i.e., education and employment) development. This trial investigates whether early intervention with a specialised Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model for vocational recovery is more effective than usual vocational supports for 15-25 year olds with BPD. It is expected that IPS will result in more days in mainstream employment and education.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of NMDA Antagonist, Memantine, For The Treatment Of Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$993,067.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects 5.9% of Australians and is a poorly understood mental illness with no clear medication treatment. The key symptoms of BPD all stem from impaired cognitive processes. Our early data shows improvement of symptoms with memantine - a cognitive enhancing drug used in Alzheimer’s disease.We plan to conduct a clinical trial; giving either 20mg memantine or placebo to 150 people with BPD across 2 Victorian sites.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Aripiprazole For Treatment Of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations In Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,748,148.00
Summary
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often report hearing voices. There is no consensus about how to treat these symptoms. Our study aims to address this clinical problem by conducting a 12 week trial of antipsychotic medication in patients who hear voices and have a diagnosis of BPD. The study will examine the effect of this medication on the nature of these voices, as well as other aspects of mental illness and brain functioning. The results will directly inform clinical practice.
Stress Vulnerability In Youth With Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$873,689.00
Summary
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder with adverse long-term outcomes, including suicide. BPD is characterised by vulnerability to stressful life events and catastrophic responses to stress. This study of youth early in the course of BPD examines the baseline biological characteristics of the stress response system, how these characteristics might be influenced by treatment and how this relates to treatment outcome. The findings will inform early intervention for BPD.
An inability to resist a temptation or repeated failures of self-regulation can lead to 'impulsive' and 'compulsive' behaviours that relate to a host of personal and social problems (eg., excessive eating, gambling, and substance use). Despite this, very little research has studied the neural and psychological underpinnings of these behaviours. My research will take advantage of recent innovations and approaches to fill this void and have implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Personality disorders are serious psychiatric disorders. Despite this, the prevalence of these disorders in the Australian community is largely unknown, as is their influence on physical and other mental health conditions and impact on Australia’s medical and mental health care services. This epidemiological study will answer these questions, with the aim of informing public health planning and service delivery practices and prompting future health economic research in this area.