Personality Disorders

Shining lights in dark corners of people's lives: Reaching consensus for people with complex mental health difficulties who are given a diagnosis of personality disorder

“…It is no longer acceptable that people given the diagnosis of personality disorder have a life expectancy reduced, on average, by 19 years, which is the same as those given a diagnosis of psychosis (Fok et al, ); experience a completed suicide rate of 10 in every 100 people, which is about double the rate of suicide amongst people with psychosis (Bjorkenstam et al, ); have experiences of inadequate attention in the publicly funded services, which can make their difficulties worse; do not consistently have access to evidence‐based interventions, of which there are now many (Duggan et al, , , ); continue to lead lives, where they cannot reach their true potential; and do not have access to early intervention, when they show signs of distress in their earlier years. …”