What is a Personality Disorder?

The DSM-IV defines a personality disorder as "an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that differs markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment" (eMedicine, 2006, Background).

Personality Disorders Recognized By the DSM-IV

The DSM-IV recognizes ten different personality disorders and groups them into three separate clusters: A, B, and C.

Cluster A

Cluster A consists of Paranoid Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder.

Cluster B

Then, Cluster B has four distinctive mental disorders: Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Cluster C

And finally, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependant Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder fall under Cluster C.

Please, note that the DSM-IV also allows a diagnosis of Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified for personality disorders that do not clearly fit into any of these distinct types (eMedicine, 2006; MindDisorders.com, 2007).

Common Consequences of Personality Disorders

Persons suffering from a personality disorder experience numerous problems in their lives. Often, they cannot have or maintain healthy relationships with others, and they usually have a great deal of trouble controlling their moods. Sadly, personality disorders can be even more troublesome than Axis I disorders for both patient and psychiatrist. While Axis I disorders normally have periods when the individual can function rather normally, personality disorders tend to trouble the person on a regular basis.

Another major difference between personality disorders and Axis I disorders can be disheartening for the patient's loved ones, as well as his or psychiatrist. Most individuals diagnosed with Axis I disorders notice the strangeness of their behavior and wish to do something about it. Those with personality disorders, though, are much less likely to see anything odd about how they are acting and thus, much less likely to willingly seek treatment (eMedicine, 2006; MindDisorders.com, 2007).

References:

eMedicine. (2006). Personality disorders. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3472.htm

MindDisorders.com. (2007). Personality disorders. In Encyclopedia of mental disorders. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Personality-disorders.html