Management of difficult personality disorder patients

Abstract

‘…therapy often becomes part of the problem rather than vice versa’. George Lockwood, 1992Ten per cent of the general adult population have a diagnosable personality disorder (Zimmerman & Coryell, 1990) and in 4% this is clinically severe (Tyrer, 1988). The clinical management of such patients may be difficult. However, much clinical difficulty is generated by interpersonal aspects deriving from the particular interaction of the patient and psychiatrist involved and the respective roles they play.