This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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National Personality Disorder Network
23/03/2006
A new National Personality Disorder Network is being launched today to encourage better management of the condition, with an aim of improving care for patients.
It will enable professionals who work with people with personality disorders to share and learn from best practice.
The Executive funding is providing £150,000 to support the Network over the next two years.
Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"A healthier nation will not be achieved simply by improving physical health. Improving mental health services for patients with all types of mental illness is one of our top health priorities.
"Our future vision for the NHS is based on early detection of illness and on providing services that better support and respond to patient needs.
"There are many different personality disorders, which often go undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness. This new Network will increase understanding of this complex area and generate awareness of the range of treatments that are available.
"More joined-up working, increased awareness, improved care and faster treatment will benefit patients with personality disorder greatly.
"The Network will encourage more education, training and research into personality disorders and will welcome the views of not only mental health professionals but patients, families, prisons and voluntary organisations.
"All of this effort should greatly improve the care, treatment and support offered to patients with personality disorder in Scotland."
Dr Linda Treliving, Consultant Psychotherapist at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen will be leading the network, she said:
"My hope is the Network will raise the profile and reduce the stigma associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder. For those concerned with the welfare of this group, the Network will provide an opportunity to share ideas and support the development of improved services.
The establishment of a National Personality Disorder Network follows consultation amongst the NHS, voluntary sector, local authorities, patients, professional bodies and trade unions to determine their needs. A website will be set up so learning can be shared nationally and internationally.
Personality is made up of the particular set of traits, behaviour styles and patterns that make up an individual's character. People who have personality disorders have great difficulty in dealing with other people. They tend to be inflexible and unable to respond to the changes and demands of life.
There are differing ideas about what causes a personality disorder. Some people believe that events in early childhood have a powerful influence upon behaviour in later life. Other psychologists think people are genetically predisposed to personality disorders. Environmental factors are also deemed to have an influence.
There are three categories of personality disorder:
- Cluster A: odd and eccentric behaviour - Schizoid Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional and erratic behaviour - Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Cluster C: Anxious, fearful behaviour - Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
There are many different types of treatment for the different personality disorders. Treatment may include individual, group or family psychotherapy, medication and behaviour and cognitive therapies. With psychotherapy, people with personality disorders can better recognise the effects of their behaviour on others.