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Characteristics of in-patients without psychosis

Implications for service provision and the recognition of personality disorder

Department of Psychiatry, Level E4, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ

Pamela Sussams and Adrian T. Grounds

Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

^* Correspondence

In a study of a population over 13 months, ratings were made from medical records of adults who were admitted to short-stay, non-secure (acute) psychiatric beds. Of 197 patients, 126 fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for specified psychoses; 57 of the 71 remaining non-psychotic patients had a history of repeated self-harm, or threats of self-harm, and/or a substance-related disorder. Both these behaviours can be a manifestation of, and be associated with, personality disorder. It was considered that personality disorder made an important contribution to the psychopathology in the non-psychotic patients. The findings suggest a need to evaluate the alternative to in-patient care in a standard acute unit for such patients.

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