A FORMER Broadmoor patient and a prisoner are to give a York conference their personal views on the way personality disorders are treated.

They will "courageously speak from their own experiences about the kind of approach which they have found of most value," said York psychiatrist Bob Johnson, who is organising the annual conference of the James Nayler Foundation.

The York-based foundation was set up four years ago to advance the way personality disorders are treated and relieve the suffering they cause. The conference, which will take place at the Methodist Central Church in St Saviourgate on Saturday, March 15, will give cutting-edge perspectives on the treatment and prevention of such disorders, said Dr Johnson.

As well as the former patient and prisoner, whom he was not at this stage able to identify, there would be three other professional speakers who would offer a "refreshing antidote to the prevailing gloom surrounding the treatment and prevention of personality disorders".

They include consultant forensic clinical psychologist Dr Elie Godsi from Nottingham, the author of "Violence in society - the reality behind violent crime," and consultant psychiatrist in psychotherapy, Dr Rex Haigh, from Reading.

Dr Johnson, who specialises in the treatment of severe personality disorders, and whose prisoner patients have included the notorious inmate Charles Bronson, will also speak about personality disorder issues - "genes, biochemistry, trauma and treatability". He said the philosophy underpinning the work of the foundation, which he co-founded, was that every person is born sociable, loveable and non-violent.

He said: "Personality disorders arise as a consequence of traumatic childhood experiences, and the foundation is committed to the belief that in even the most severely disordered conditions, something can always be done to alleviate the distress and suffering."

He said many hundreds of people had contacted the foundation and it was clear that great distress was caused to sufferers, families, friends and many others, and that there was very little provision for such people in the form of information, support, treatment, management, counselling or understanding.

Extra funding was now needed to develop the necessary support structures to meet the growing and urgent demands, and applications would be made to major trust funds.

The foundation conference is open to members of the public, with those attending asked to make a donation towards costs. For details, phone 01904 624993, or email admin@TruthTrustConsent.com

Updated: 09:19 Friday, March 07, 2003