This study investigated health service utilisation in 635 women from the Geelong community, who had personality disorder, mental state disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar, substance use disorders), or no history of these disorders. Data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule was examined over a four-year period. Included health services were: (i) general health/non-mental health services (GP non-mental health service consultations, dental services, optometrist or optometry services, and allied health); (ii) GP mental health services; and (iii) specialised mental health (psychiatry and psychology services). We found that women who had co-occurring personality disorder and mental state disorder had increased health service utilisation for general health/non-mental health services. This health service utilisation also appeared to increase with age. No differences between groups were found for GP mental health or specialised mental health services. These results suggest that healthcare providers should be aware of personality disorder, even in health services that are not specific to mental health.
More information: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2021.615057/full