162 Identifying Maladaptive Patterns Identifying Maladaptive Patterns When working with individuals along the borderline spectrum, it is important to get them to recognize their adaptive and maladaptive patterns of behavior. Most individuals have a few adaptive patterns, but their maladaptive patterns tend to be so fixed that using them is second nature and often immediately reinforcing. Such maladaptive patterns can include unhealthy roles, drug and alcohol abuse, and promiscuity. By the time these individuals enter treatment, they are hopefully ready to change these patterns. Benjamin (1996) outlines five categories of responses that can be helpful to use when working with individuals with personality disorders and those along the borderline spectrum. These include the following: Next Steps The Maladaptive Patterns Worksheet is a tool for exploring Categories 2 and 3. The first part of the worksheet is designed to help the client identify his or her maladaptive pattern (#2) and block the maladaptive pattern (#3) by applying a more helpful and adaptive pattern of functioning. Categories 4 and 5 are addressed throughout the remainder of this workbook. For the Maladaptive Patterns worksheet, the client is encouraged to use the adaptive methods of functioning, outlined in the second part of the worksheet, at all times and not only during times of stress or disappointment. This worksheet is highly useful in treatment as it helps to identify new adaptive patterns that the client is willing to utilize. There are 25 maladaptive patterns and 50 adaptive patterns listed. This is done intentionally to illustrate that there are more positive and adaptive patterns than maladaptive ones from which to choose. 1. Facilitating collaboration 2. Facilitating pattern recognition 3. Blocking maladaptive patterns 4. Strengthening the will to give up maladaptive patterns 5. Facilitating new learning