Abstract
Aims and methodThis survey was conducted to ascertain the use of psychotropic medication in the treatment of patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder within a community mental health team. A sample of 113 patients were identified, their notes were reviewed, and details of current medications and diagnoses recorded.ResultsFour-fifths of patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication. The most commonly prescribed medication class was antidepressant, comprising almost half of prescriptions. The total annual cost across 107 patients was £37 000.Clinical implicationsMedication is commonly prescribed to people with personality disorder but more needs to be known about why prescriptions are started and stopped, what the benefits are, and how these are judged by patients and care teams.
Highlights
Clinical implications Medication is commonly prescribed to people with personality disorder but more needs to be known about why prescriptions are started and stopped, what the benefits are, and how these are judged by patients and care teams
Patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder (ICD-10 codes F60-61, F21)[11] under the care of a community mental health team were identified by searching the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust computer database and asking the consultants to identify such individuals
In this study the most common personality disorder in patients being seen by a community mental health team was emotionally unstable personality disorder
Summary
Patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder (ICD-10 codes F60-61, F21)[11] under the care of a community mental health team were identified by searching the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust computer database and asking the consultants to identify such individuals. Patients who were currently under the care of the consultant were included. Attempts were made to find and extract information from the notes of all 113 of the identified patients, relating to the period during which they had been under the care of the consultant. Gender and age were documented and the diagnosis, when clear from the notes, was recorded. In cases in which the patient was currently receiving psychotropic prescription medication, that prescription was recorded with information on dosage and duration. Historical changes in dosage of that formulation were noted
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