Dangerous severe personality disorder: the controversy continues

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychiatry
• Legal Medicine
• Mental Health Law

Background:

• A high-profile 1996 murder prompted England to consider involuntary containment for individuals with personality disorders deemed at risk of violence.
• The Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) program was established in 2008 for this specific legal category.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implementation and reception of the Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder program in England.
• To understand the perspectives of forensic psychiatrists regarding the DSPD program.

Main Methods:

• The study likely involved a review of policy documents and potentially surveys or interviews with forensic psychiatrists.
• Analysis of the professional and legal context surrounding the DSPD program's introduction.

Main Results:

• The Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder program faced initial opposition from most forensic psychiatrists in England.
• A minority of forensic psychiatrists consistently supported the program's objectives and implementation.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of the DSPD program highlighted a division within the forensic psychiatric community regarding involuntary containment for individuals with severe personality disorders.
• The program's establishment reflects a significant shift in legal and clinical approaches to managing high-risk individuals.