Use of psychotropic medication among psychiatric out-patients with personality disorder

Aims and method This survey was conducted to ascertain the use of psychotropic medication in the treatment of patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder within a community mental health team. A sample of 113 patients were identified, their notes were reviewed, and details of current medications and diagnoses recorded. Results Four-fifths of patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication. The most commonly prescribed medication class was antidepressant, comprising almost half of prescriptions. The total annual cost across 107 patients was 37000 pound. Clinical implications Medication is commonly prescribed to people with personality disorder but more needs to be known about why prescriptions are started and stopped, what the benefits are, and how these are judged by patients and care teams.