Diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability.
BACKGROUND
Though contentious, the diagnosis of personality disorders in persons with learning disability is clinically relevant because it affects many aspects of management.


OBJECTIVE
To examine published literature on the diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability.


METHODS
Selective review with computerised (Medline, Embase and PsychInfo) and manual literature searches.


RESULTS
The variation in the co-occurrence of personality disorder in learning disability, with prevalence ranging from less than 1% to 91% in a community setting and 22% to 92% in hospital settings, is very great and too large to be explained by real differences.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of personality disorders in learning disability is complex and difficult, particularly in those with severe disability. Developing consensus diagnostic criteria, specific for various developmental levels, is one way forward. Such criteria may need to include objective proxy measures such as behavioural observations and informant accounts.
Alexander
Regi
R
Leicester Frith Hospital, UK.
Cooray
Sherva
S
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012557:Schizoid Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis