UOW to host conference exploring borderline personality disorder
26 Sep 2007 | Renee Criddle
Over 70 psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and social workers will attend a conference at the University of Wollongong this week (Friday 28 September) that will discuss the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
As the National Institute of Mental Health website explains, BPD is a serious mental illness characterised by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behaviour. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.
Originally thought to be at the "borderline" of psychosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), BPD is more common, affecting 2% of adults -- mostly young women.
Interest in the treatment of the disorder has expanded exponentially over the past few years, particularly with the provision of group treatment programs providing dialectic behaviour therapy (where the dual focus is on acceptance and change).
The conference theme is ‘Promoting Integration’ – integration between and within services, integration of models and methods and integration within the client.
The event will offer a series of short presentations and information on the latest treatments of BPD as well as provide a prime opportunity for those working in the complex field to network and discuss their treatment services with others.
The conference is being hosted by UOW’s Northfields Psychology Clinic and Illawarra Community Mental Health.
"Northfields Clinic in conjunction with the Specialist Psychologist Services of Illawarra Community Mental Health have been providing specialist joint treatment of borderline personality disorder for many years. This program combines group therapy with long-term psychotherapy,” said Director of Northfields Clinic, Mr Chris Allan.
Conference co-host, Associate Professor Brin Grenyer, added that the clinic will “welcome senior specialists from the major treatment centres across the State, many of whom originally graduated from the innovative training provided here at Northfields Clinic for Borderline Personality Disorder."
When: Friday 28 September from 10am – 5pm
Where: Northfields Clinic (Bldg 22), Room 22, University of Wollongong
For further information or registration: Contact Chris Allan on (02) 4221 4407
*Media please note: The best time to attend for photo/filming/interview opportunities is the lunch break from 12.30 – 1.15pm
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