The idea that personality disorders can't be treated is ‘damaging myth’
source: The National Scot
originally published: 9 January 2019
The idea that people with personality disorders cannot be treated is a damaging and untrue myth, leading psychiatrists have said.
In its first-ever position statement on the issue, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said failure to treat a personality disorder can be fatal, with one in 10 people with a personality disorder committing suicide.
The College said psychiatrists and sufferers alike “believe there is a pervasive myth in society, including amongst some health professionals, that a personality disorder cannot be treated”.
It pointed to national variation in the services on offer, with only one in four people with personality disorder who go on to commit suicide ever being referred to a specialist service for personality disorder.
When it comes to medication, 90% of people with personality disorder are given drugs even though it is not considered best practice unless the person is also suffering from a mental illness which can be treated with medication.
