McGimpsey publishes Personality Disorder strategy

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today published a new strategy aimed at helping people with a diagnosed personality disorder.

The strategy, “Personality Disorders; A Diagnosis for Inclusion” sets out how specialist services to treat these disorders should be developed.

Mr McGimpsey said: “I am committed to improving mental health services in line with the Bamford vision. Last year my Department invested £0.6million to develop services for people with personality disorders. I am investing a further £0.5million in these services in 2010/11.

“About a third of psychiatric outpatients and half of psychiatric inpatients have a diagnosis of personality disorder. We need more specialist services to treat the effects of these disorders and improve the lives of people with mental illness.”

The strategy sets out how specialist services for people with personality disorder, including residential and day treatment services, can be established and integrated with existing mental health services. A range of psychological treatments, in line with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance, will be provided by trained staff with patient outcomes subsequently monitored.

Notes to editors:

1. Personality Disorders are common, affecting 1 person in 20 and can be defined as:

'An enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early childhood, is stable over time and leads to distress or impairment.'

2. People with personality disorders present to services with a range of behaviours including self harm, substance misuse, depression, aggression, eating disorder and brief psychosis.

3. The strategy recommends a network of personality disorder services be developed, initially focusing on community services, and in partnership with Criminal Justice Agencies.

4. The strategy can be viewed online.

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