An innovative outreach service for people with severe personality disorders: patient characteristics and clinical activities

This paper presents descriptive quantitative data on the first 12 months of operation of an innovative outreach service for people with severe persona lity disorders (SPD). Between November 1995 and November 1996, 156 patients were referred to the service for outpatient treatment, inpatient preparato ry work, post-inpatient follow-up and advice on management. The psychologic al and psychiatric characteristics of these patients are described using a range of standardized self-report scales. Scores indicate high levels of pe rsonality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder and associa ted behavioural and social problems. The various clinical activities of the service are described. These include the provision of individual and group psychotherapies, referrals for specialist inpatient admission and the prov ision of specialist advice on management to local referrers. Evidence sugge sts that the service is successfully achieving its aims in providing a spec ialist community service for people with SPD, but that current resourcing l evels limit its ability to respond fully to service demands.