Effective Aggression Case Study

Mancke, Herpertz and Bertsch (2015) defined aggression as any behavior that is directed towards another individual that is carried out to cause harm intentionally. Someone who has been diagnosed with BPD has a high prevalence of aggressive symptoms, demonstrated by the finding that 73% of individuals have engaged in aggressive behavior over the course of a year (Mancke, Herpertz and Bertsch, 2015). These aggressions can take any forms such as being involved in physical fights and it’s been reported that 25% have used a weapon against others (Mancke, Herpertz and Bertsch, 2015). Someone with BPD demonstrates reactive aggression, meaning that one demonstrates impulsive behavior that is emotion-driven indicating the reactive aggression arises

These patterns of aggression demonstrate an irregular pattern of dysregulation characteristics of BPD that many are unable to tolerate distress that is encountered in daily life, which cause them to be prone to maladaptive strategies (Carpenter, R. W., & Trull, T. J. 2013).

For instance, Mancke, Herpertz and Bertsch (2015) develop a multidimensional model of aggression in BPD that focuses on the interaction of behavior and the biological process focusing in affective dysregulation, impulsivity, threat, hypersensitivity, and empathic functioning. The data were collected using self-reports, behavioral tasks, neuroimaging, as well as psychophysiology from an empirical study. Reactive aggression in patients with BPD has been confirmed by laboratory tests of aggression. According to Mancke, Herpertz, and Bertsch (2015) aggression is indicated to be linked to interpersonal dysfunction with

This type of therapy attempts to change the way the clients think about and approach interpersonal situations (Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue 2010). The individual’s thoughts and assumptions play a key role in influencing perceptions, interpretations, and behavioral and emotional responses. (Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue 2010). It’s important to change the mindset of the patient; in the way they perceive themselves and the world because it makes it more difficult to treat (Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue 2010). Linehan (1993) developed dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) where the patient is taught skills that include emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Linehan develop this approach to change suicidal behaviors, behaviors that interfere with therapy and quality of life by promoting self-respect