DSM Classification of Personality Disorders

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the urgent need for changes in the classification of personality disorders. The paper discusses the current classification model for personality set forth by DSM 4. It looks at the problems associated with this system of classification, including high level of co-morbidity and lack of theoretical or empirical rationale for selection of categories. The paper looks at proposed alternative classification systems, such as dimensional systems where extreme scores are representative of psychopathology.

From the Paper:

"Personality disorders are longstanding patterns of extreme, inflexible personality traits that are deviant or maladaptive and lead to impaired functioning or subjective distress. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 1994). The essential feature of a personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture."

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