Current Controversies in Nosology and Diagnosis of Personality Disorders

Abstract

<p>Personality disorders could be among the more important diagnoses within the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) <cite>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</cite> (DSM). They have the unique distinction of being placed on a separate diagnostic axis, thereby drawing the attention of many clinicians who may otherwise not have considered them. The reason that the authors of the multiaxial system of DSM-III wanted to draw attention to personality disorders was the evidence that the quality and quantity of preexisting personality disturbance influences the predisposition, manifestation, course, and treatment of many Axis I conditions.</p> <h4>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</h4> <p>Thomas A. Widiger, PhD, is with the Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.</p> <p>Address correspondence to: Thomas A. Widiger, PhD, 115 Kastle Hall, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044; fax 859-323-1979; or email <a href="mailto:widiger@uky.edu">widiger@uky.edu</a>.</p> <p>The author disclosed no relevant financial relationship.</p> <h4>EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES</h4> <ol> <li>Identify seven problems with the <cite>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</cite>, fourth edition (DSM-IV) personality disorder categories.</li> <li>Describe the three major proposals for DSM-V to address these problems.</li> <li>Summarize the broad domains of personality that account for the DSM-IV personality disorders.</li> </ol>