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ForwardDissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder: From Research to Clinical
Abstract
Data from two studies, totalling 149 Borderline Personality (BPD) subjects, will be presented from a clinical perspective.
The first study looks at the dissociative subgroups in 49 structured interview diagnosed BPD subjects who were given a battery of dissociation inventories and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Dissociative Disorders- Revised interview (SCID-D-R). Specifically, the BPD sample is divided by the dissociative diagnosis given by the SCID-D-R. In this presentation, each BPD dissociative subgroup will be described by: the frequency and severity of dissociative symptoms; comorbid disorders; abuse history; and severity of illness. It will be seen that the average BPD subject endorsed a wide variety of deeply disturbing dissociative symptoms that were not transient and only sometimes stress-related. Furthermore, within BPD, the progression: no Dissociative Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia or Depersonalization Derealization Disorder, Other Specified Dissociative Disorder type 1, to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) – appears to be a continuum of dissociative disorder severity
Self-report measures used in this study include the Multi-dimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-R, the Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report, the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire, the Self Harm Inventory, and the Self-report Inventory for Disorders of Extreme Stress.
The second study, coauthored by A. Laddis and P. Dell, compares 100 interview diagnosed BPD to 75 SCID-D-R diagnosed DID subjects on the MID inventory. Specifically, the two disorders will be compared on dissociative and personality symptoms. Since DID is the classic example of a dissociative disorder, this allows the authors to compare the dissociative mechanisms in BPD versus DID. The concept of the “dissociative core of BPD” will be described. Discussion of this study concludes with a summary of the different dissociative processes evident clinically in BPD.
For the final section of the presentation, each dissociative subgroup in BPD will be described clinically with examples. The workshop will conclude with an integrative model of the aetiology and mechanisms of dissociation of each dissociative subgroup in BPD.
Potential to Distress: No
Target Audience
Those seeking to participate in this webinar must be licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.). ISSTD staff will audit license information prior to the start of the course and may request additional documentation for your license.
We do accept students enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. Students must submit proof of student status such as a transcript or registration record. For those who have completed their degree and are currently in the pre-licensure stage practicing under the license of another clinician, you must provide the name and license information for the person you are working with. Documentation should be sent to ISSTD staff at [email protected] before registering.
This webinar content is at the Beginning/Introductory level.
Learning Objectives
Upon Completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe the average frequency, duration and stress-relatedness of dissociative symptoms in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Explain the deeply disturbing dissociative symptoms found in the “average” BPD subject
- Identify the comorbid dissociative disorders found in BPD by severity with regards to trauma, comorbid symptoms and social adjustment
- Compare the dissociation found in BPD with that in Dissociative Identity Disorder
- List 5 different mechanisms of dissociative phenomena in BPD
Program Timeline
1. Background: Definitions, interfaces and subgroups (5 minutes)
2. Literature review of measurement of dissociation (5 minutes)
3. Our research (Korzekwa & Dell): Study 1, N=21. (20 minutes)
4. Our Research (Korzekwa & Dell): Study 2, n=49 (20 minutes)
5. Laddis, Dell & Korzekwa. (20 minutes)
6. Etiology of Dissociation in BPD by subgroup (15 minutes)
7. Descriptive In Depth Review of each Dissociative Diagnosis in BPD with Cases (20 minutes)
8. Question & Answer (15 minutes)
Instructor: Marilyn Korzekwa MD, FRCPC
Marilyn Korzekwa, MD, FRCPC, completed medicine at the University of Toronto in 1982 and psychiatry at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1986, where she is an adjunct professor (part-time). She worked in general hospital outpatient psychiatry for 28 years, which included founding and running a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program and Day Hospital. She opened her private practice in 2014, specializing in trauma and dissociative disorders.
Her 19 publications include 10 papers about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), including 5 papers about dissociation in BPD with Paul Dell.
She has completed both levels of training in DBT, EMDR, Lifespan Integration, Deep Brain Reorienting, Ego State Therapy, Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy, and Level 1 in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
She has been a member of EMDRIA since 1995 and became a certified consultant in 2022. She is a fellow of the ISSTD, a recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award, the President’s Award of Distinction, and has been a member since 1992. She has chaired a Dissociative Disorders Study group in Hamilton, Ontario since 1993. She was chairperson of the Webinar committee from 2015 to 2021, helping to turn it into the successful program that it is today. Currently she is devoting her time to ISSTD’s EMDR course.
Available Credit
- 2.00 APAThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 2.00 ASWB ACEThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 continuing education credits.
- 2.00 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 2.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Price
"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level.
- ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation.
- ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
- If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired.
These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at [email protected] to receive the appropriate discount code.
Registration Policies
Cancellations prior to the webinar are subject to a $10 cancellation fee. No refunds are provided for no shows. The deadline for cancellations with a refund is May 4, 2026 at 5:00pm US Eastern Time. Requests for cancellation should be sent to [email protected].
For additional webinar policies including completion requirements, filing grievances, requesting a disability accommodation, and awarding of certificates of credits, please visit our Webinar Policies page.