Personality disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions marked by chronic behavior patterns that cause serious problems with relationships and work.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
People with personality disorders have difficulty dealing with everyday stresses and problems, and they often have stormy relationships with others. These conditions vary from mild to severe and tend to be difficult to treat.
The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, numerous genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role.
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific type of personality disorder.
Signs and tests:
Personality disorders are diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms. Currently, mental health professionals categorize these disorders into the following subtypes:
Review Date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Personality Disorders
