What Is a Personality Disorder?

Psychology's premier diagnostic reference, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-Revised (DSM-IV-TR) describes people suffering from Personality Disorders as having traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways.

PD Traits

The specific traits vary from disorder to disorder, but, overall, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive; and those with personality disorders usually experience instability in many areas of their life.

Disorder Stability

Many other categories of psychological disorder fluctuate with respect to symptom presence and intensity, but, as with normal personality, personality disorders remain relatively constant throughout life.

PD Clusters

According to the DSM-IV-TR , there are currently 10 types of personality disorder which fall into into 3 main clusters: Cluster A, Cluster B and Cluster C.

The following are links to the PD Clusters and each will take to to the specific areas of the site that explore each of the 10 types of personality disorder.

Quick Links to Types of Personality Disorder:

Cluster A Personality Disorders are marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders fall into this category. 

Cluster B Personality Disorders are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors such as those seen in Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders are distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior often seen in Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders.

Personality Disorder Research

New Research! This link will take you to recent discoveries relating to personality disorders.

Additional Articles on Personality Disorder:

What Is a Personality Disorder? Personality disorders are not as uncommon as you may think. As many as 15 percent of U.S. adults have one or more of these maladaptive mental illnesses.

10 Types of Personality Disorder: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR), the book used to clinically define mental illnesses, there are ten different personality disorders that are grouped into three categories. This article contains summaries of each of the ten disorders of personality. 

Personality versus Mood Disorder: Personality disorder and mood disorder are often thought to mean the same thing. Here is a summary of key differences between these distinct categories of mental illness.

Medication, Personality and Suicide: What do we know about the effectiveness of drug therapies used in the treatment PD suicidal behavior? Dr. Robert Cardish sums it up.

WARNING!!! This website is for informational purposes only, it is not intended as a substitute for psychiatric evaluation or professional counseling. If you are in need of help, please see a mental health professional, not a computer.

Sources:

Dobbert, Duane (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders. Praeger Publishing.

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web www.PsychologyProfOnline.org

Psychology Prof BOOKSTORE

Personality DisordersMood Disorders

SchizophreniaStalking