Personality disorders

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Personality disorders

Definition:

Personality disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions marked by chronic behavior patterns that cause serious problems with relationships and work.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

People with personality disorders have difficulty dealing with everyday stresses and problems, and they often have stormy relationships with others. These conditions vary from mild to severe and tend to be difficult to treat.

The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, numerous genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role.

Review Date: 12/1/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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