An analysis of how people with a personality disorder in Devon United Kingdom use mental health services

Abstract

Mental health service clients with a personality disorder have been identified as high service users and there is disagreement about the effectiveness of current treatments. This study provides a description of personality disorder client service use in Devon, United Kingdom. Descriptive analysis, probabilities of escalation from community to inpatient services and a novel application of network analysis were conducted. In Devon, people with a personality disorder use a median value of four community services and a median value of one inpatient service within the three years of data (January 2015 to February 2018) used in this study. Personality disorder clients use a wide range of community and inpatient services persistently over time. Network analysis showed that they most commonly rely on psychiatric liaison services and Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment teams. Suggested changes include the provision of alternative services to avoid clients repeatedly seeking high intensity emergency mental health care.