This review focuses on the identification of patients with personality disorders in acute care and provides an overview of evidence-based behavioural and pharmacological interventions. (1)
Personality disorders, pervasive patterns of maladaptive behaviours, thoughts, and emotions that can wreak havoc in the patient’s interpersonal life and are a major challenge in an acute care setting. Having a personality disorder has implications for an individual’s healthcare outcomes; those with a personality disorder have a life expectancy nearly 2 decades shorter than the general population for a multitude of reasons, among them trouble interacting with the healthcare system. Identification of dysfunctional personality structures can provide an opportunity for better management of an individual patient’s medical and psychological needs.
1. Riddle M, Meeks T, Alvarez C, Dubovsky A. When personality is the problem: Managing patients with difficult personalities on the acute care unit. Vol. 11, Journal of Hospital Medicine. John Wiley and Sons Inc.; 2016. p. 873–8. DOI 10.1002/jhm.2643
