Personality Disorders

A personality disorder is not a temporary mood state or a synonym for difficult behaviour. It describes a persistent pattern of perceiving, interpreting, feeling, relating, and acting that is markedly different from cultural expectations, remains relatively inflexible across situations, and causes significant impairment or distress. Assessment must consider the person’s developmental history, culture, trauma history, relationships, and functioning over time rather than relying on one crisis or one interaction. Biological, psychological, developmental, and social factors can all contribute to personality pathology. The diagnosis does not remove responsibility for behaviour, and it does not justify stigma. It helps the team anticipate patterns, select effective treatment, and respond consistently. Personality disorders are often grouped into descriptive clusters: - Cluster A: odd or eccentric patterns, including paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal presentations. - Cluster B: dramatic, emotional, or erratic patterns, including antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic presentations. - Cluster C: anxious or fearful patterns, including avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality presentations. These clusters organize features; they do not replace an individual assessment. A person may meet criteria for more than one personality disorder and...