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Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders.

Gianni Martire, Daniel Sipple, David Baron, Mark S. Gold, Kai-Uwe Lewandowski, Catherine A Dennen, Alireza Sharafshah, Igor Elman, Panayotis K Thanos, Edward J Modestino, Rajendra D Badgaiyan, Albert Pinhasov, Abdalla Bowirrat, Milan Makale, A Kenison Roy, Keerthy Sunder, Kevin Murphy, Shaurya Mahajan, Yatharth Mahajan, Chynna Levin, Kenenth Blum

Journal of addiction psychiatry 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2018.07.008 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Intervention Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Topics Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD
Keywords Personality disorders bpd Personality pathology Borderline personality disorder Psychedelic assisted therapy Trauma healing Trauma recovery
Citations 341
Key points Proposes that borderline personality disorder be reclassified as "traumatic personality stress disorder" and that psychedelic-assisted therapy may be a pathway for treating both BPD and PTSD.

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) share overlapping neurobiological mechanisms particularly reward deficiency and stress-like anti-reward processes. And so, BPD may be reclassified as a "traumatic personality stress disorder" (TPSD) with ensuing common therapeutic strategies that may stabilize dopaminergic reward function such as psychedelic-assisted therapy. Integrated therapeutic strategies may be further supported by genetic studies aimed at assessing similarities between the two therapeutic entities. In this perspective we theorize that psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) may play a role in the treatment of trauma induced personality disorders. This study identifies PAT as a pathway for treating both BPD and PTSD, proposing that reframing BPD as TPSD could lead to more effective, personalized interventions, ultimately improving the quality of life for those affected by trauma. Such a reclassification might also mitigate stigma, enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and optimize therapeutic interventions for a broader range of diagnostic categories characterized by anhedonia, negative affective states, hypervigilance, and dissociation.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy Unclear

    Argues that borderline personality disorder may be reframed as a trauma-related disorder and that psychedelic-assisted therapy may be a treatment pathway for it and PTSD.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for PTSD Supports

    Argues that BPD be reframed as traumatic personality stress disorder and that psychedelic-assisted therapy may be a pathway for treating both BPD and PTSD.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: PTSD Unclear

    Argues that borderline personality disorder and PTSD share neurobiological mechanisms and that psychedelic-assisted therapy may be a pathway for treating both.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The potential use of N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders comorbid with PTSD. 2021 Theoretical or philosophical paper
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in adolescents: rationale, potential, risks, and considerations. Adolescents with PTSD 2024 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Agency in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Implications for Therapy 2023 Theoretical or philosophical paper
The Inner World in the Outer World: The Phenomenology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder from a Psychoanalytic Perspective 1996 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Incorporating MDMA as an Adjunct in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy With Clients Impacted by Trauma or PTSD 2019 Theoretical or philosophical paper

Citations in the library

Cited by 3

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Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD

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Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy Psilocybin for PTSD