PRESIDENT‘S MESSAGE

Dear Colleague,

The International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (ISSPD) was founded in 1988 and is the pre-eminent global organisation promoting and disseminating research, policy, and best practice in the field. It is organized for clinical, scientific, educational, and charitable purposes.

The Society has an international scope with members from all over the world. It is an independent organization but acts as a coalition, bringing together local and regional groups, including formally constituted regional organizations, for mutual support and collaborative activities. The mutual respect and cooperation with local and regional groups is built into the governance of ISSPD by having a Board member from each of the formally constituted regional organizations, including the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (NASSPD), European Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (ESSPD), the Asia-Pacific Society (AART-PD) and Latin-American and Middle East groups.

Being a member of a regional organisation provides reciprocal membership of ISSPD. People with lived experience of personality disorder (either as consumers or family members) have positions on the ISSPD Board, and an ISSPD Lived Experience Committee brings together representatives in advocacy from across the globe.  ISSPD is active in working with and providing input into policy and practice issues including with the World Psychiatric Association and World Health Organisation. The Journal of Personality Disorders is the official journal of the ISSPD. A highlight of ISSPD’s activities is Congress, held every two years. I warmly welcome you to become part of our international community devoted to the study of personality disorders, and hope to see you soon at Congress.

Brin Grenyer

President, ISSPD