Dangerous and severe personality disorder: antecedents and origins.

The origins of the Dangerous and Severe Pesonality Disorder (DSPD) Programme can be traced to developments in structured assessment and services for the cognitive-behavioural treatment of sexual and violent offenders in other countries. A comparison with these other services highlights the strengths and weaknesses of DSPD. The decision to use a medical model raises ethical and financial questions that may jeopardise the Programme's future.