Vol. 539 No. 3
91 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce a dedicated service for those with personality disorder or with anti-social behaviour; and his views on whether people with these conditions are mentally ill. [19113/01]
Medical experience suggests that persons suffering from personality disorder are at the extreme end of normal human variation. These extreme traits of personality disorder are not symptoms of an illness which can be treated and cured. It is therefore considered that personality disorder may not be legitimately viewed as an illness.
There is no clear evidence to indicate that the most appropriate method of providing services to persons with personality disorder or with anti-social behaviour is through the provision of a dedicated service. International developments in the care of such persons are being monitored. Accordingly, there are no plans to provide such a service at this time.
