Fragmented Minds and Fractured Bonds: Psychosocial Guide to Healing Dissociation with Borderline Traits in Dysfunctional Families

Description

Page: 498-501

Abhijeet Singh¹, Geetesh Kumar Singh², and Mahesh A Tripathi³ (Department of Psychiatric Social Work, School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations, Rashtriya Raksha University, Dehgam, Gandhinagar, Gujarat¹ , Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations
Rashtriya Raksha University, Dehgam, Gandhinagar, Gujarat^2,3)

Challenging clinical presentations of dissociative symptoms in the presence of borderline personality characteristics and chronic family conflict pose significant diagnostic, formulative, and treatment management challenges. These individuals are often typified by emotional volatility, disturbance of identity, self-injurious tendencies, and unstable sense of self, complicated by the added stress of environments of invalidation, enmeshment, or unresolved family trauma. These converging dimensions need an integrated, trauma-informed, and nuanced model that moves beyond symptom management to treat the person-in-context. This tutorial paper presents a psychosocial roadmap to curing dissociation with borderline characteristics in pathological families, presenting a realistic and comprehensive model for mental health professionals, particularly clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric social workers, and trainees, to effectively diagnose and treat patients who are dissociating within the context of borderline pathology and family pathology. The paper describes a step-by-step psychosocial assessment process via clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and family system evaluations, with culturally responsive and ethically informed practices integrated. Drawing on evidence-based modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TI-CBT), and systemic family interventions, the article illustrates how clinicians can develop tailored treatment plans that address both intrapersonal and interpersonal issues. Special emphasis is given to risk assessment, transference-countertransference management, therapeutic rupture, and interdisciplinary teamwork to provide complete care. In employing theory to practice, this article bridges the gap between learning theory and practice. It aims to encourage clinicians to manage complex cases in a clearer, more confident, and compassionate manner and ultimately achieve improved therapy outcomes and improved client well-being.