Nearly 1 in 20 people living in Britain have a personality
disorder, according to a new study.
There are 10 categories of personality disorder, which can be
divided into 3 clusters:
- Cluster A -;paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal (the
‘odd-eccentric’ group)
- Cluster B -; antisocial and borderline (the flamboyant,
dramatic-emotional or erratic group))
- Cluster C -; avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive (the
anxious-fearful group).)
Fewer people with a personality disorder make contact with
psychiatric services than those with other conditions, such as
schizophrenia or depression. Moreover, the probability of people
with a personality disorder withdrawing from treatment is
higher.
The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of
personality disorder in the community, and to examine the factors
associated with it.
People aged between 16 and 74 living in households in England,
Scotland and Wales took part in a two-phase survey. In phase I,
8886 participants completed computer-assisted interviews lasting
about an hour-and-a-half with Office for National Statistics
interviewers.
The phase II sample, consisting of 638 people selected on
certain criteria, were interviewed by seven graduate psychologists
who had received training and clinical experience.
Overall, it was found that the prevalence of personality
disorder was 4.4%. All personality disorder categories were more
prevalent in men, apart from the schizotypal category. Antisocial
personality disorder was five times higher in men.
The most prevalent personality disorder was the
obsessive-compulsive type, with dependent and schizotypal disorders
being the least frequent.
Cluster A disorders were more common among people who were
separated or divorced, unemployed with a low weekly income, and of
lower social class.
Cluster B disorders were more prevalent among younger age
groups, in men, among separated or divorced people, those of lower
social class, and those renting their accommodation. Cluster C
disorders were associated only with unemployment.
There was a high level of co-morbidity between clusters e.g.
32%
of those with Cluster A disorder also had Cluster B disorder. There
were also clear associations between personality disorder clusters
and mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
People with cluster A disorders were three times more likely to
have been in local authority care before the age of 16. Those with
cluster B disorders were more likely to have had a criminal
conviction, to have spent time in prison, and have been in local
authority or institutional care.
Those with cluster C disorders were more likely to have received
psychiatric medication and counselling.
The authors of the study conclude that the high incidence of
personality disorder in those who have been in care, particularly
in the cluster B group, and their subsequent criminal convictions,
suggest that preventive and treatment strategies for them could
have a major influence on public health.
Interventions during childhood and adolescence are increasingly
shown to be effective and cost-efficient.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Coid J, Yang M, Tyrer P, Roberts A and Ullrich S (2006) Prevalence and correlates of personality disorder in Great Britain. British Journal of Psychiatry, 188, 423 - 431