Autogenic Training for Borderline Personality
What is Autogenic Training for Borderline Personality?
Strictly speaking, autogenic training is not exclusively a
relaxation technique. Rather than training people to
achieve a state of low arousal genic training aims
at a state of high arousal though this often involves decreasing
physiological arousal, autogenic training does
not try to produce complete relaxation.
The following are standard formulas (one limb at a time for those
related to the limbs).
1. My arms are heavy.
2. My legs are heavy.
3. My arms are warm.
4. My legs are warm.
5. My forehead is cool.
6. My heartbeat is calm and regular.
The individual with borderline personality is encouraged to imagine feelings,
sensations, or scenes that may make the sensation more
vivid, but is warned not to try to make the sensation
occur. Concentration on the formula must remain a passive
experience, whether or not the sensation is perceived.
There is evidence that progressive relaxation has
greater effects on the muscles whereas autogenic
training has greater effects on the autonomic nervous system
a variety of psychosomatic disorders, particularly-tension and headaches.
However, they usually are not sufficient by
themselves. Life styles, social environments, and views
of the world can create or compound people's problems
in living. Such factors as the quality and nature of available
social support and the individual's goals, attitudes,
and values often must be dealt with. I have listed a
number of factors that bear on the advisability of using
relaxation techniques in a given case.
Research on relaxation skills requires answers to
two questions: Has the individual learned the relaxation
skill? Does use of the skill lead to beneficial clinical results?
Factors in Successful Use of Relaxation Training for Borderline
1. The individual's problems do not have a relaxation component.
2. The individual is not psychotic, depressed, or subject to anxiety.
3. The individual is able to assume responsibility for active
participation in treatment, with special emphasis on home
practice.
4. Family members are cooperative with and supportive of
the individual's treatment.
5. The individual has reasonable expectations (i.e., does not
expect a miracle).
Appropriate control groups are needed to provide an adequate
basis for judging the effectiveness of the training on borderline
personality disorder. There is also a need for studies
that explore the effectiveness of relaxation training
both alone and in combination with other types of
therapy.
Strictly speaking, autogenic training is not exclusively a
relaxation technique. Rather than training people to
achieve a state of low arousal genic training aims
at a state of high arousal though this often involves decreasing
physiological arousal, autogenic training does
not try to produce complete relaxation.
The following are standard formulas (one limb at a time for those
related to the limbs).
1. My arms are heavy.
2. My legs are heavy.
3. My arms are warm.
4. My legs are warm.
5. My forehead is cool.
6. My heartbeat is calm and regular.
The individual with borderline personality is encouraged to imagine feelings,
sensations, or scenes that may make the sensation more
vivid, but is warned not to try to make the sensation
occur. Concentration on the formula must remain a passive
experience, whether or not the sensation is perceived.
There is evidence that progressive relaxation has
greater effects on the muscles whereas autogenic
training has greater effects on the autonomic nervous system
a variety of psychosomatic disorders, particularly-tension and headaches.
However, they usually are not sufficient by
themselves. Life styles, social environments, and views
of the world can create or compound people's problems
in living. Such factors as the quality and nature of available
social support and the individual's goals, attitudes,
and values often must be dealt with. I have listed a
number of factors that bear on the advisability of using
relaxation techniques in a given case.
Research on relaxation skills requires answers to
two questions: Has the individual learned the relaxation
skill? Does use of the skill lead to beneficial clinical results?
Factors in Successful Use of Relaxation Training for Borderline
1. The individual's problems do not have a relaxation component.
2. The individual is not psychotic, depressed, or subject to anxiety.
3. The individual is able to assume responsibility for active
participation in treatment, with special emphasis on home
practice.
4. Family members are cooperative with and supportive of
the individual's treatment.
5. The individual has reasonable expectations (i.e., does not
expect a miracle).
Appropriate control groups are needed to provide an adequate
basis for judging the effectiveness of the training on borderline
personality disorder. There is also a need for studies
that explore the effectiveness of relaxation training
both alone and in combination with other types of
therapy.