Validity of the diagnosis of personality disorder in adults with learning disability and severe behavioural problems

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Personality disorder in people with learning disability has received little research attention, with only a handful of cross-sectional surveys of prevalence available. As yet, there have been no studies to include an examination of validity. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of personality disorder in adults with learning disability who are in specialist challenging behaviour in-patient services and to examine the validity of the diagnosis of personality disorder in this group in terms of its association with abusive experience in early life. METHOD: The Standardised Assessment of Personality (SAP) was used to diagnose personality disorder in 36 individuals with mild/moderate learning disability. Case notes were reviewed for details of clinical diagnosis and early psychosocial history. RESULTS: Thirty-nine per cent of the sample met the criteria for severe personality disorder. This diagnosis showed a significant association with early traumatic experience. CONCLUSIONS: Severe personality disorder is a common diagnosis in this group. There is preliminary evidence that the diagnosis is associated with abuse in childhood.

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