Patients with personality disorder admitted to secure forensic psychiatry services.

Abstract

Treatment of patients with personality disorder remains controversial and severe mental illness is prioritized in secure forensic psychiatry services. To compare patients with personality disorder and mental illness according to demography, referral, criminality, previous institutionalisation and diagnostic comorbidity. A record survey of 511 patients with personality disorder and 2575 with mental illness admitted to secure forensic psychiatry services between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 1994 from half of England and Wales. Personality disorder admissions declined over time; more were female, White, younger and extensively criminal (specifically, sexual and arson offences). Personality disorder was highly comorbid; antisocial, borderline, paranoid and dependent personality disorder were most prevalent. Patients with personality disorder were highly selected and previously known to psychiatric services. Referrer, diagnostic comorbidity and behavioural presentation determined their pathways into care. Future research must determine whether their continuing admission represents effective use of scarce resources and whether new services are required.