personality disorder

personality disorder
any of a group of mental disorders characterized by deeply ingrained maladaptive patterns of behavior and personality style, which are usually recognizable as early as adolescence and are often lifelong in duration.
[1935-40]

* * *

Mental disorder that is marked by deeply ingrained and lasting patterns of inflexible, maladaptive, or antisocial behaviour to the degree that an individual's social or occupational functioning is impaired.

Rather than being illnesses, personality disorders are enduring and pervasive features of the personality that deviate markedly from the cultural norm. They include the dependent, histrionic, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, antisocial, avoidant, borderline (unstable), paranoid, and schizoid types. The causes appear to be both hereditary and environmental. The most effective treatment combines behavioral and psychotherapeutic therapies (see behaviour therapy; psychotherapy).

* * *

also called  Character Disorder,  

      mental disorder that is marked by deeply ingrained and lasting patterns of inflexible, maladaptive, or antisocial behaviour. A personality disorder is an accentuation of one or more personality traits to the point that the trait significantly impairs an individual's social or occupational functioning. Personality disorders are not, strictly speaking, illnesses, since they need not involve the disruption of emotional, intellectual, or perceptual functioning. In many cases, an individual with a personality disorder does not seek psychiatric treatment for such unless he is pressured to by his relations or by a court.

      There are many different types of personality disorders; they are classified according to the particular personality traits that are accentuated. Persons who have a paranoid personality disorder show a pervasive and unjustified mistrust and suspiciousness of others. They may be secretive or aggressive and are excessively sensitive to implied slights or criticism. Persons with schizoid personality disorder appear aloof, withdrawn, unresponsive, humourless, and dull and are solitary to an abnormal degree. Persons with explosive personality disorder exhibit extreme emotional instability characterized by explosive outbursts of rage upon minor provocation. Persons with histrionic personality disorder persistently display overly dramatic, highly excitable, and intensely expressed behaviour (i.e., histrionics). Persons with dependent personality disorder lack energy and initiative and passively let others assume responsibility for major aspects of their lives. Persons with passive-aggressive personality disorder express their hostility through such indirect means as stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and forgetfulness.

      One of the most important disorders is the antisocial, sociopathic, or psychopathic personality disorder. This disorder is chiefly characterized by a personal history of chronic and continuous antisocial behaviour in which the rights of others are violated. Poor or nonexistent job performance is another major indicator. Persons with antisocial personality disorder make up a significant portion of the criminal and delinquent elements of society. Besides persistent criminality, the symptoms may also include sexual promiscuity or sexual aggression and drug addiction or alcoholism. Sociopaths generally accept their behaviour as natural, feel no guilt when they hurt others, see little reason for or possibility of change, and resist therapy.

      The causes of personality disorders are unknown, though there is undoubtedly a hereditary element involved. Personality traits are, by definition, virtually permanent, and so personality disorders are only partially amenable to treatment, if at all. The most effective treatment combines various behavioral and psychotherapeutic therapies. Medication may be helpful in alleviating periodic anxiety, depression, emotional instability, or paranoid tendencies in some cases.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Personality disorder — Classification and external resources ICD 10 F60 ICD 9 301.9 …   Wikipedia

  • personality disorder — n a psychopathological condition or group of conditions in which an individual s entire life pattern is considered deviant or nonadaptive although the individual shows neither neurotic symptoms nor psychotic disorganization * * * a deeply… …   Medical dictionary

  • personality disorder — noun inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behavior • Hypernyms: ↑mental disorder, ↑mental disturbance, ↑disturbance, ↑psychological disorder, ↑folie • Hyponyms: ↑maladjustment, ↑antisocia …   Useful english dictionary

  • personality disorder — a deeply ingrained and maladaptive pattern of behaviour, persisting through many years. It is usually manifest by the time the individual is adolescent. The abnormality of behaviour must be sufficiently severe that it causes suffering, either to… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • personality disorder — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms personality disorder : singular personality disorder plural personality disorders a mental or emotional condition that makes it difficult to have good relationships with people in social situations and at work …   English dictionary

  • Personality disorder not otherwise specified — Personality disorder, unspecified Classification and external resources ICD 10 F60.9 ICD 9 301.9 …   Wikipedia

  • personality disorder — personality disturbance, psychological disorder expressed in an individual s behavior …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Personality disorder, borderline — A serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long term planning, and the individual s sense of self identity …   Medical dictionary

  • Self-defeating personality disorder — Personality disorders Cluster A (odd) Paranoid · Schizoid Schizotypal …   Wikipedia

  • personality disorder — noun A class of mental disorders characterized by rigid and on going patterns of thought and action …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”