Classification of Personality Disorders and Their Features

Clinical classifications of personality disorders

The way personality disorders are categorized and defined has changed over time, reflecting advancements in understanding and ongoing debates within the field.

DSM-5

The current classification system for personality disorders that is subject to criticism regarding issues such as diagnostic overlap and cultural bias.

Controversies in personality disorder classification

Ongoing debates about whether personality should be classified categorically or dimensionally.

Cluster A

Personality disorders characterized by odd and eccentric behavior.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Characterized by pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others, often associated with interpersonal sensitivity.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Marked by exaggerated introversion and a pervasive pattern of withdrawn behavior.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Characterized by profound peculiarities in thinking, perception, and behavior, including unusual thinking and odd ideas.

Cluster B

Personality disorders characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

Interpersonal sensitivity

A characteristic often associated with paranoid personality disorder where individuals interpret others' motives as malevolent.

Exaggerated introversion

A defining feature of schizoid personality disorder where individuals appear detached and have little interest in social relationships.

Pervasive pattern of withdrawn behavior

A characteristic of schizoid personality disorder indicating a consistent lack of engagement in social interactions.

Profound peculiarities

A feature of schizotypal personality disorder indicating unusual thinking and odd ideas.

Magical thinking

A type of thought process often exhibited by individuals with schizotypal personality disorder.

Attention-seeking behavior

A behavior often seen in individuals with histrionic personality disorder where they need to be the center of attention.

Egocentric

A characteristic of individuals with histrionic personality disorder who often exaggerate experiences.

Center of attention

A need often exhibited by individuals with histrionic personality disorder, distinguishing clinical symptoms from normal traits.

Diagnostic overlap

A criticism of the DSM-5 classification system where symptoms of different disorders may overlap.

Cultural bias

A criticism of the DSM-5 classification system regarding how cultural differences may affect diagnosis.

Evolution of clinical classifications

The historical changes in how personality disorders are categorized and understood.

Traditional psychoanalytic classifications

Early methods of classifying personality disorders that differ significantly from the current categorical approach in the DSM-5.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Involving the tendency to exaggerate experiences and being egocentric: center of attention.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Defined by a preoccupation with self-appearance, a sense of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, drawing from the story of Narcissus.

Compensation for Lack of Admiration

A potential reason for the behaviors associated with narcissistic personality disorder.

Overlap of Conventional Behaviors

The presence of behaviors that may appear conventional but overlap with narcissistic traits.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by inconsistency of personality traits, impulsivity, and occasional instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior.

Basic Feature of Borderline Personality Disorder

The inconsistency of personality traits is a fundamental aspect of the disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Marked by uncontrolled impulses and regrets, a tendency to regard life as a game, and a habit of blaming others for provoking their behavior.

Difficult to Treat

A characteristic of individuals with antisocial personality disorder who often disregard the rights of others.

Cluster C: Anxious and Fearful Behavior

A category of personality disorders that includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Characterized by elevated social anxiety, constant self-doubt, and avoidance of social situations despite a desire for connection.

Adaptive Tendencies in Avoidant Personality Disorder

Behaviors seen as protective mechanisms against rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Characterized by being overly submissive and clingy, with a need to be taken care of.

Two Subtypes of Symptoms in Dependent Personality Disorder

Different manifestations of dependency that need to be distinguished from conventional behaviors.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Characterized by extreme self-control, a tendency to be serious and perfectionists, and a preoccupation with orderliness and rules.

Rigid Traits in Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Traits that, while required in some professions, become impairing in the context of the disorder.