Clarifying the Confusing Truth about BPD and Depression

Overview

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) presents a compelling challenge in clinical practice, particularly due to its frequent comorbidity with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), seen in approximately 83% of cases. This training is going to help you learn to identify and work with the intricate overlap in symptoms—ranging from intense affective instability to profound feelings of emptiness—along with a nuanced approach that goes beyond symptom management to help you unravel and address the deep-seated emotional drivers that perpetuate both conditions​. 

Learning Objective

• Recognize the overlapping symptoms between BPD and MDD, including affective instability, feelings of emptiness, and the complex presentation of depressive symptoms in BPD client.
• Learn how to identify the underlying emotional drivers or "core content" (e.g., abandonment fears) that exacerbate BPD symptoms and differentiate them from depressive episodes. 
• Develop skills in differentiating between depressive symptoms arising from BPD versus those indicative of a primary depressive disorder.
• Explore evidence-based treatment strategies (CBT, DBT, IPT, and others) for addressing the unique challenges of comorbid BPD and MDD, including psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approaches. 
• Enhance strategies for building and maintaining a therapeutic alliance with BPD clients, focusing on managing the push-pull dynamics often seen in these relationships. 
• Gain tools for assessing and managing the high risk of self-harm and suicidality in clients with comorbid BPD and MDD.
• Learn how to teach clients adaptive coping skills that address the emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors characteristic of BPD.
• Develop techniques to monitor for and manage signs of regression in clients, especially during periods of heightened stress or interpersonal conflict. 
• Review long-term outcomes for clients with BPD and MDD, focusing on remission and relapse rates, and the role of stable support systems in achieving lasting recovery.
• Challenge common misconceptions and reduce stigma associated with BPD and MDD, promoting a more empathetic and effective approach to treatment.  

Meet the Speaker

Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist based in Texas, a renowned international speaker, and a recipient of multiple awards for his work as an author. With over two decades of experience, he has focused on the treatment and evaluation of individuals with personality disorders in various settings, including the state and federal Pr*son system, universities, and private practice. Dr. Fox's expertise lies in personality disorders, ethics, burnout prevention, and emotional intelligence. He is retired from the federal Pr*son system after 21 years, and he also holds the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Houston, while maintaining a private practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals with complex psychopathology and personality disorders. Dr. Fox has conducted numerous workshops and seminars on topics such as ethics and personality disorders, the relationship between personality disorders and crime, treatment approaches for clients across the antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality spectrum, emotional intelligence, and mental health management within the Pr*son system, among others. He also has a popular YouTube channel the focuses on mental health and personality disorder issues.  

Schedule
7:30-8:00am – Registration 
8:00-11:30 am – Seminar 
11:30-12:30 pm – Lunch (on your own) 
12:30-4:00 pm – Seminar  
***15-min breaks during both the morning and afternoon session. 

Continuing Education Credits

6.5 contact hours will be earned by the following licensing boards:

• MN Board of Behavioral Health
• MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
• MN Board of Social Work
• MN Board Psychology

***If you are licensed in another state, please review your CEU requirements regarding apporval.

Training Location

Nystrom & Associates Training Facility

Northpark Corporate Center

1200 West County Road E,

Arden Hills, MN 55112

**Located between Lexington & Snelling on West County Road E next to Dunn Brothers

**Enter in either of the side doors on the East or West side of the building

Map:

If you have any questions, please email them to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Psychiatric Associates