Living with and understanding personality disorders - online event
A virtual event designed to help people understand more about personality disorders and how to successfully live with them has been organised by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT).
The online event being held on Thursday 26 November from 13:00 - 14:30, will give patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals the chance to gain a greater insight into the condition and the help and support that's available.
Personality disorder (PD) is a pattern of thoughts, feelings and actions which tend to persist and lead to distress and instability in several areas of a person’s life. People with the disorder can feel unable to cope, have overwhelming feelings and thoughts and may turn to potentially dangerous activities, such as self-harm, to try to relieve their distress.
During the event, experts will explain more about the symptoms, causes and treatment for personality disorders, while a peer support worker will share her own experiences of living with the condition.
Suffolk Mind will introduce the Waves programme, which offers support to help people with certain types of personality disorder manage the way they feel and understand what they are experiencing and why.
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Lulu Preston will finish the event by providing an update on the Trust's personality disorder strategy.
The event has been organised by NSFT Senior Practitioner Howard Tidman, in partnership with Healthwatch Suffolk, Suffolk Mind and Suffolk Family Carers.
Howard said: “We hope that this special event will shine a spotlight on personality disorder and give those attending a greater understanding of the condition, the challenges which it can bring and what can be done to help.
“Personality disorders are very common and affect an estimated one in every 20 people in England. That is why it is so important to give people an insight into the condition and the steps that can be taken to help manage the symptoms.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and gain some valuable advice, as well as find out more about the support which is available locally.”
The event will take place between 13:00 and 14:30 on 26 November.
Everyone is welcome to attend - you can join the online event by clicking on the link to the event: Understanding and living with a personality disorder