Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 28-year-old woman with borderline personality disorder presents with chronic emptiness, unstable relationships with rapid idealization-devaluation cycles, and recurrent self-harm during interpersonal conflict. Vital signs are stable (BP 118/76, HR 82, RR 16). She denies active suicidal ideation currently but reports three episodes of self-injury this month. She takes no psychiatric medications. Which psychotherapeutic approach demonstrates the strongest evidence base for reducing self-harm behaviors and improving interpersonal functioning in this condition?
Answer choices
- APsychoanalysis three times weekly
- BCognitive-behavioral therapy for depression
- CAntipsychotic monotherapy
- DBrief supportive therapy
- EDialectical behavior therapyCorrect answer
- FPsychodynamic therapy focused on unconscious conflict resolution
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