Pharmacology in Personality Disorders
-By Timothy Lyons
According to an article (Triebwasser & Siever, 2006) there is a paucity of reliable studies in the treatment using pharmacology in personality disorders. It has been posited that this is the result of the severity of some of the personality disorders. There are studies that are reliable but many cases studies point to both effectiveness and ineffectiveness on both sides of this type of treatment.
It would seem that there are various medications which have been helpful in certain areas in regards to treatment of personality disorders. However, at times these medications can exacerbate symptoms that often accompany treatments. The idea that there can be effectiveness with pharmacology in personality disorders is not a new debate and surely one that will continue. Psychological interventions should certainly play a role in treatment.
Some meta-analyses of the subject do not combine information but rather use it in sort of a hodge-podge manner. The wisdom of the collective that created the newest version of the DSM-5 changed to a continuum diagnosis so that axes could be cast aside in favor of a more individualized diagnosis and treatment. This points to the fact that by using pertinent information from the DSM-5 perhaps the treatment of what used to be axis one symptomology could be targeted more effectively.
The end result when one looks at the idea of pharmacological interventions in this population, it would be wise to take care and watch out for over prescribed medications with any clients but especially with the use of pharmacology in personality disorders that have been diagnosed. It could be that medication is prescribed to treat symptoms and more is added in order to treat new symptoms. I think that the argument can be made for interventions of this type especially in the light that it might facilitate psychotherapeutic interventions and lessen symptoms. If this is the case then therapeutic interventions might be more easily provided.
Though there does appear to be significant improvements in certain populations, there are those studies that also point to lack of improvement or perhaps that match treatment as usual. In the end the idea would be to educate the client on the different types of treatment, allow for informed decisions and attempt treatments that meet the needs of the client.
References
Triebwasser, J., & Siever, L. J. (2006). Pharmacology of Personality. Psychiatric Times, 23(8), .