Personality disorder

Personality disorders are a form of mental disorder. They are characterised by a long-term pattern of serious behavioural differences that significantly affect the functioning of the individual in personal and social situations. Personality disorders are represented on Axis II of the DSM-IV, and are particularly controversial because their comorbidity rate is excessively high, indictative of poor categorization.

The ten types of personality disorders that have been defined are:

Cluster A (odd or eccentric disorders)

• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder

Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders)

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder

Cluster C (anxious or fearful disorders)

• Avoidant personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (not the same as Obsessive-compulsive disorder)

See also

• psychopathy