Developing services for people with dangerous and severe personality disorders

Abstract

This paper describes the conflicting attitudes that exist within wider society and the people who deliver services for people with dangerous and severe personality disorder. The importance of recognizing the nature of these conflicting attitudes that are based on the desire for ' punishment', ' keeping society safe' and ' treatment and care' is discussed. Potential ways of resolving these conflicts at an organizational and practice level are explored. The resolution might involve replacing the notions and associated practices of ' punishment' and ' safety' with ' containment', and ' treatment and care' with psychosocial therapy and rehabilitation.