Personality disorders in youth: descriptive epidemiology and patient experience within services

Project Description

Personality disorders, affecting around 8% of the global population, are common mental health conditions but remain underrepresented in mental health research. These disorders are associated with poor long-term outcomes and high levels of co-morbidity. Although early temperamental features that accurately predict later incidence of adult personality disorder can be detected as young as age 3, personality disorders usually start to emerge more conspicuously during adolescence. Their onset during adolescence demonstrates the need for early identification and intervention within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). However, the difficulty in accurately diagnosing these disorders in adolescents often leads to a lack of targeted services for this age group.

This project aims to undertake descriptive epidemiology using quantitative data from healthcare records of a large sample of young people aged 13-25 years, with personality disorders. Additionally, qualitative methods will explore the patients’ experiences within healthcare services.

This project will help identify antecedents of diagnosed personality disorders and describe the progression of symptoms from adolescence to early adulthood. By understanding the experience of affected young people within existing services, we can inform the development of targeted services focused on early intervention.