This issue focuses on research done in the area of personality disorders, giving special attention on adolescents. The article portrays a snapshot review of current research in both adult and adolescent personality disorders. This paper identifies the nature of personality disorders (PDs) in both adults and adolescents. The method of treating personality disorders in adolescents is addressed. Methods such as emotional training, cognitive analytic therapy and mentalization are suggested. However, due to the lack of sufficient studies of adolescent PDs, this area of concern is left for further studies and analysis. The collections of articles in this issue point out the limitations, which exist in studies of adolescent PDs. Among the limitations mentioned are lack of adolescent-sensitive instruments which are specifically tailor made to aid both clinical practice and research of adolescent PDs. Secondly, lack of adequate research in treatment of PDs other than the borderline ones is a limiting factor. Thirdly, lack of study on the results of treatments for adolescent PDs precludes advancement of future guidelines. Fourthly, adoption of adult methods of diagnosis and treatment of PDs into adolescent treatments remains a subject of further research. Additionally, lack of exposition about the long-term effects of proposed interventions is still unclear (Hutsebaut et al., 2013).
The article further examines the interaction between research and clinical practice in the field of adolescent PDs. Reluctance of many professionals in conducting studies on diagnosis of PDs in adolescents has significantly inhibited growth of knowledge in adolescent personality disorders the distinction between mental health services for adults and for adolescents is identified as one of the primary hindrances to the integration of research findings and clinical practice in many countries (Laurenssen et al., 2013).
The article gives an anecdotal example of an adolescent who had been diagnosed with ADHD, but for two years did not receive the needed restorative measures. It describes some of the symptoms she exhibited during her therapy sessions such as aggressiveness, rudeness, lack of corporation, distrustful, and lacking motivation. Lack of headway in treatment led her to develop suicidal tendencies and was even sent out of school because of indiscipline. Chanen & McCutcheon (2008) call this disorder ‘diagnosis that dare not speak its name.
The article further elucidates objective justifications as to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of PDs. Failure of diagnosing PD at an early stage leads to a skewed approach to the type of treatment, focusing on one component and leaving the others. Moreover, treatment of isolated symptoms of the broader personality disorder only ends up in partial and often inadequate intervention. This mode of treatment can lead therapists into offering ineffective and potentially damaging treatment such as repeated crisis admissions and escalating medication dosages. Furthermore, the article vouches for the inclusion of examinations of interpersonal functioning and impairments of an individual in studying personality issues of adolescents. This is seen to provide important targets for treatment (Luyten & Blatt, 2013)
The article identifies major contributing factors to adolescent’s PDs as well as expenses associated with its treatment. This paper also mentions the comparative status of the quality of life lived by PD affected adolescents and other adolescent anomalies. It also provides an assessment of the effect of adolescent neurodevelopmental changes (Blakemore, 2008; Bleiberg, Rossouw, & Fonagy, 2012; Fonagy & Luyten, 2011; Sharp et al., 2011).
In conclusion, the article highlights the successes in various personality disorder therapies, adducing hope for personality health practitioners proposing various actions. These could aid in developing better intervention measures for treatment of adolescent PDs.
References
Bleiberg, E., Rossouw, T., & Fonagy, P. (2012). Adolescent breakdown and emerging borderline personality disorder. In A. W. Bateman & P. Fonagy (Eds.), Handbook of mentalizing in mental health practice (pp. 463–509). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Chanen, A. M., & McCutcheon, L. K. (2008). Personality disorder in adolescence: The diagnosis that dare not speak its name. Personality and Mental Health. 2, 35–41
Hutsebaut, J., Feenstra, D. J., & Luyten, P. (2013). Personality Disorders in Adolescence: Label or Opportunity?. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 20(4), 445-451.
Laurenssen, E. M. P., Hutsebaut, J., Feenstra, D. J.,Busschbach, J. J. V., & Luyten, P. (2013). Diagnosis of personality disorder in adolescents: A study among psychologists. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. 7 (3)
Luyten, P., & Blatt, S. J. (2013). Interpersonal relatedness and self-definition in normal and disrupted personality development: Retrospect and prospect. American Psychologist. 68, 172–183
