Personality Disorders

-Begin early in life and effects functioning but doesn't prevent it.

-Always ends in "personality disorders"
-All go on axis 2
- no date of onset. lifelong patterns of behavior.


Cluster A: paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal Disorders (also referred to as "odd or eccentric behavior disorders"). Thinks the world is out to get them. Socially Isolated and Withdrawn.

Cluster B: impulsivity and/or affective dysregulation disorders (also referred to as "dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders").Cluster B includes: antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.

Cluster C: anxiety and compulsive disorders (also referred to as "anxious or fearful disorders").
Finally Cluster C includes: obsessive/compulsive, avoidant, and dependent personality disorders.

The additional category for indeterminate behaviors that appear to characteristic of a personality disorder is called: "personality disorder, NOS" (not otherwise specified). Clusters tend to run in families.