The aetiology, presentation and treatment of personality disorders

Personality disorders are a heterogeneous collection of conditions with common features, which may include an exaggerated self-centred nature, little regard for the feelings of others, or the regular fabrication of stories to explain the behaviour of self or others. Whilst such features might be recognized as being present in many people at different times of their lives, it is the persisting nature and extremes of personality traits that distinguishes those who have personality disorders from those who do not. Apart from the problems that personality disorders bring on their own (such as dysfunctional relationships), when they coexist with mental disorders it makes the latter more difficult to treat. People with personality disorders are often depicted as being dangerous, yet only a few are and it is this minority group that attract public attention. Personality disorders are recognized as belonging to the group known as the serious mental illnesses, a group that mental health nurses are being encouraged to focus their attentions on, but it is accepted that there is a paucity of education and training in appropriate interventions for this group of people. This article provides an overview of the aetiology and presentation of personality disorders together with an examination of evidence-based therapeutic interventions.