Citation

Tyrer P. Medicine (Abingdon) 2004; 32(7): 26-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1383/medc.32.7.26.36675

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Personality disorders are common conditions; about 1/10 population suffers a disorder sufficient to cause handicap in life. Personality disturbance is best viewed as a continuum, from absence of disorder to severe abnormality with potential threat to others, in which the key manifestations are persistent maladaptive behaviours and poor relationships with others. Classification of personality disorders is unsatisfactory, because there is much overlap between the ten conditions described in standard classifications. As a compromise, they have been separated into three main clusters - odd/eccentric, flamboyant/dramatic and anxious/fearful. Personality disorders are commonly associated with other mental disorders and may interfere with the treatment of these. There is now some evidence that personality disorders, or at least the maladaptive behaviours associated with them, can be treated successfully with both psychological and drug therapies, and there is more optimism than 10 years ago.