25/04/2003

Funding call for personality disorder sufferers

DUP health spokesperson, Iris Robinson MP has called for better services and facilities in Northern Ireland for people suffering from personality disorders.

The Strangford MP made the call following a meeting with Dr Raman Kapur and Briege Gadd of the voluntary mental health agency, ‘Threshold’.

She said: "For many years personality disorders were thought to be untreatable. However encouraging results have been achieved recently through supervision, support and group work in a therapeutic community setting.

"Patients with personality disorders experience psychological difficulties, and altered behaviour and insight. They demonstrate significant deviations from the way the average person thinks, feels and relates to others.

"Sufferers are often impulsive, struggle to make intimate relationships, and fail to feel guilt or learn from adverse behaviour."

Mrs Robinson claimed that mental health services in Northern Ireland were poorly co-ordinated and she has written to Health Minister Des Browne demanding government funding for such work in the province.

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