Brief Admissions During Prolonged Treatment in a Case Involving Borderline Personality Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

BACKGROUND: This study describes the use of brief admissions to a psychiatric ward by a single patient across a period of 7 years. The patient suffered from a borderline personality disorder and a complex posttraumatic stress disorder. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe how brief admission may be used during a long-term treatment process. DESIGN: A single-case descriptive study with triangulation of the data was undertaken. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the patient and the patient’s spouse, psychiatrist, ward nurse, and community psychiatric nurse. Other data were retrieved from the medical records of the patient. RESULTS: Four phases could be distinguished in the treatment of the patient: crisis, treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, treatment of borderline personality disorder, and recovery. The use of brief admissions positively influenced the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Brief admissions were initially used to prevent self-harm and suicide. The goals and functions expanded to prevention of prolonged admission, prevention of dropout from evidence-based therapy, and practicing with newly acquired skills and promotion of autonomy.