What is Personality Disorder?

A personality disorder is an "enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectation of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment." Because these disorders are chronic and pervasive, they can lead to serious impairments in daily life and functioning.
What Causes Personality Disorders?
The causes of personality disorders are the subject of considerable debate and controversy. Some experts believe that personality disorders are caused by early experiences that prevented the development of normal thought and behavior patterns
Other researchers believe that biological or genetic influences are the root cause of personality disorders. While a definitive cause has not been established, it is likely that a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental variables contribute to the development of personality disorders.
How are Personality Disorders Diagnosed?
In order to be diagnosed with a personality disorder, an individual must exhibit symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria established in the DSM-IV.
These patterns of behavior must be chronic and pervasive, affecting many different aspects of the individual’s life, including social functioning, work, school, and close relationships.
The individual must exhibit symptoms that affect two or more of the following areas: thoughts, emotions, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control.
The pattern of behaviors must be stable across time and have an onset that can be traced back to adolescence or early adulthood.
These behaviors cannot be explained by any other mental disorders, substance abuse, or medical condition.

Technorati Tags: Personality Development

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0