Diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability

Abstract

BackgroundThough contentious, the diagnosis of personality disorders in persons with learning disability is clinically relevant because it affects many aspects of management.AimsTo examine published literature on the diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability.MethodSelective review with computerised (Medline, Embase and PsychInfo) and manual literature searches.ResultsThe variation in the cooccurrence of personality disorder in learning disability, with prevalence ranging from less than 1% to 91% in a community setting and 22% to 92% in hospital settings, is very great and too large to be explained by real differences.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability is complex and difficult, particularly in those with severe disability Developing consensus diagnostic criteria, specific for various developmental levels, is one way forward. Such criteria may need to include objective proxy measures such as behavioural observations and informant accounts.