Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Panic Attacks and Alexithymia in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by emotional instability, difficulties in emotion regulation, unstable interpersonal relationships, and vulnerability to anxiety symptoms. Panic attacks and alexithymia are among the problems that may intensify psychological distress and impair personal and interpersonal functioning in these individuals. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), through its emphasis on accepting internal experiences, reducing experiential avoidance, and enhancing psychological flexibility, may be effective in alleviating these difficulties. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on panic attacks and alexithymia in individuals with borderline personality disorder. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of individuals with borderline personality disorder who had referred to counseling and psychological service centers. Among eligible individuals, 30 participants were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whereas the control group received no intervention during this period. The research instruments included the Panic Attack Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: The findings indicated that, after controlling for pretest scores, there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in panic attack and alexithymia scores (p < .05). In other words, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced panic attacks and alexithymia in individuals with borderline personality disorder. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may reduce panic symptoms and improve individuals’ ability to identify and express emotions by enhancing psychological flexibility, reducing experiential avoidance, and fostering a more accepting relationship with distressing thoughts and emotions. Future studies are recommended to employ larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and comparisons between this approach and other evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions.