ABSTRACT
In the past twenty or so years, more thorough and systematic study of personality disorders has increased our knowledge and understanding. Personality disorders are now known to be common and many individuals with personality disorders may manage their lives satisfactorily without intervention. However, we recognize that significant numbers of individuals with personality disorders seek help with the problems they experience and the distress they, and others, suffer. We now recognize that people with personality disorder should be able to access appropriate clinical care and management from mental health services, and that the staff providing this help need to be properly equipped with the skills to offer help (National Institute for Mental Health England, 2003). There is a responsibility to ensure that individuals with personality disorder get appropriate care and are offered therapy that is likely to be effective.
