Drug treatment of personality disorder

Abstract

The null hypothesis that drug treatment of personality disorder is inappropriate has not yet been disproved. The evidence suggests that it may be a useful aid to treatment but the definitive studies that show that any benefit is independent of mental state effects have not been done. Most of the efficacy evidence comes from studies of the borderline group in which mental state and personality features are concurrent. However, knowledge of additional morbidity of a personality disorder may affect the treatment of a mental state disorder, including the choice of drug treatment. In summary, one can only concur with the views of Klar and Siever (1984) 14 years ago, that the drug treatment of these conditions 'remains a clouded area governed more by opinion than fact'. Our current drug treatment of personality disorder is like following a badly marked track through a dense for - you can see only a very short distance ahead but are grateful for any guidance going.