Personality disorder: taking a person‐centred approach
| Date | 14 December 2010 |
| Published date | 14 December 2010 |
| Pages | 6-9 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/mhrj.2010.0730 |
| Author | Adebowale |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Mental Health Review Journal Volume 15 Issue 4 December 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd
6
10.5042/mhrj.2010.0730
Lord Victor Adebowale
CEO, Turning Point, UK
Personality disorder:
taking a person-centred approach
Abstract
Personality disorders manifest themselves in a variety of ways and there is also debate about the extent
to which these conditions can be treated. The author debates the definition of personality disorder and
considers the stigma that this diagnosis can attach to individuals. A new approach to the treatment of
people with personality disorders is proposed, using the person-centred approach and placing the individual
at the centre of services. With regards to personality disorder, this person-centred approach is able to
treat the condition as well as addressing the negative effects of how it manifests itself.
Key words
Personality disorder, person-centred, exclusion, complex needs, service provision, quality of life.
Introduction
Personality disorders are complex medical
conditions that have traditionally been treated
with fear and suspicion by both the public and
healthcare professionals. This has helped to
promote exclusion of those with a personality
disorder from receiving the care needed to
improve their quality of life. Service providers
should take a person-centred approach, which
places the needs of the individual at the heart
of every action. This approach not only applies
to personality disorders but also to the early
interventions that can prevent the development
of these conditions. The difference between this
approach and what was previously the status quo
in the treatment of personality disorder can be
seen by considering how people affected by these
conditions have been stigmatised.
Personality disorders defined
There has been a great deal of disagreement
among healthcare professionals on the definition
of personality disorder. The World Health
Organization defines it as a disruption to the
‘behavioural tendencies’ of an individual, which
then produces substantial social disturbance
(World Health Organization, 1992). In its
definition, the American Psychiatric Association
refers to the expectation of society. The
disruption to an individual’s personality is
understood through its marked deviation
from what is culturally expected (American
Psychiatric Association, 1994). What is clear in
both definitions is that people are not born with
a personality disorder; rather, it is something
developed over time as a result of a combination
of personal experience and the more biological
structuring of the brain (Hill, 2007). Such
disruption to individuals’ personalities is
common; for example, it is thought that up to
5-13% of people in the community meet the
diagnostic criteria for a personality disorder
(Department of Health, 2009). The complexities
of these conditions are admirably demonstrated
by the personality disorder ‘tube map’ created
by Rex Haigh, Clinical Advisor for the National
Personality Disorder Development Programme
(Haigh, 2009). What becomes clear through
studying this map is how turbulence at an early
age can contribute to the development of a
personality disorder. For this to be challenged,
early interventions need to be made to stabilise
experiences in both childhood and young
adulthood. At present, a lack of co-ordination
and adequate support is obstructing the effects of
these early interventions. This has contributed to
the prevalence of personality disorders.
SOCIAL
POLICY
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