Assessing Personality Disorders

 

Cannot be diagnosed before the age of 18 or due to an underlying medical condition. And cannot be diagnosed because a patient is difficult or we don't like them.

 

Problems with PD Diagnoses

 

PD Diagnoses can be different because the categories may not be as useful as a 'dimensional' model in which certain personality traits (ie sociability) are considered separately. Patients often fit more than one category, and patients with an untreated Axis I disorder can lead to personality symptoms.

PD diagnoses can also be used in a negative, stigmatizing way.