Gabapentin useful in treatment of personality disorders

The creators of a service designed to manage people with personality disorders report that in their experience, gabapentin is the most efficient mood stabiliser for their treatment.The Brazilian researchers conducted a review of recent evidence relating to personality disorders, focusing on the management of such conditions.Personality disorders are thought to affect around 10 to 13% of the general population, rising to 20 to 30% when based on primary care outpatient settings.Such disorders are considered as an anomaly of the psychological development, with those affected having an "evident impairment in their personality organisation and integration of their affective/emotional lives".The review authors state that borderline personality disorder shares common factors with the bipolar spectrum, making it difficult to distinguishing between the two. It is therefore suggested that treatment of borderline personality disorder could follow the recommendations made in bipolar disorders guidelines.There is research to suggest that lithium and carbamazepine, both used to treat bipolar disorder, may have independent effects in controlling aggression and impulsiveness and could be of value in borderline antisocial personality disorders.Other research indicates that mood stabilisers are effective in controlling core symptoms of borderline condition, particularly in the control of impulsive behaviour and mood instability.The review authors state that with the growing recognition of personality disorders it is anticipated that a larger body of evidence will become available to guide the treatment of this common and disabling condition.They go on to discuss current recommendations for treatment, adding that treatments do not modify patients' personalities but allow them to find a better adaptation level.Cognitive and behavioural psychotherapies have been found beneficial in the management of personality disorders while formal psychotherapy is thought to be counterproductive. The review authors finish by relating their experience of the service created to aid in the management of personality disorder in Brazil, including their findings with respect to the use of gabapentin.They conclude that although pharmacotherapy forms the cornerstone of the management of personality disorders, the evidence suggests that utilisation of adjunctive psychosocial treatments and incorporation of a model that involves a healthcare team are required to provide optimal management.Reference...