10. PERSONALITY DISORDERS
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
CLUSTER A (Paranoid PD, Schizoid PD, and Schizotypal PD) – Individuals with
these types of disorders often appear odd and eccentric-
• Paranoid Personality Disorder is a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early
adulthood and present in a variety of con texts, as indicated by four (or more) of
the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or
deceiving him or her.
2. Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of
friends or associates.
3. Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the
information will be used maliciously against him or her.
4. Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or
events.
5. Persistently bears grudges (i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights).
6. Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent
to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.
7. Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or
sexual partner.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of detachment from social
relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by four (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family.
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities.
3. Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person.
4. Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities.
5. Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
6. Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.
7. Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity.
, • Schizotypal Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for,
close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and
eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety
of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Ideas of reference (excluding delusions of reference).
2. Odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent
with subcultural norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance,
telepathy, or “sixth sense”: in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or
preoccupations).
3. Unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions.
4. Odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical,
overelaborate, or stereotyped).
5. Suspiciousness or paranoid ideation.
6. Inappropriate or constricted affect.
7. Behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar.
8. Lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
9. Excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to
be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self.
CLUSTER B (Antisocial PD, Borderline PD, Histrionic PD, and Narcissistic PD) -
Individuals with these disorders often appear dramatic, emotional, or erratic- 1.5% for
disorders in Cluster B.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and
violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by
three (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning
others for personal profit or pleasure.
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
CLUSTER A (Paranoid PD, Schizoid PD, and Schizotypal PD) – Individuals with
these types of disorders often appear odd and eccentric-
• Paranoid Personality Disorder is a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early
adulthood and present in a variety of con texts, as indicated by four (or more) of
the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or
deceiving him or her.
2. Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of
friends or associates.
3. Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the
information will be used maliciously against him or her.
4. Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or
events.
5. Persistently bears grudges (i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights).
6. Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent
to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.
7. Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or
sexual partner.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of detachment from social
relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by four (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family.
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities.
3. Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person.
4. Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities.
5. Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
6. Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.
7. Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity.
, • Schizotypal Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for,
close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and
eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety
of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Ideas of reference (excluding delusions of reference).
2. Odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent
with subcultural norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance,
telepathy, or “sixth sense”: in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or
preoccupations).
3. Unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions.
4. Odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical,
overelaborate, or stereotyped).
5. Suspiciousness or paranoid ideation.
6. Inappropriate or constricted affect.
7. Behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar.
8. Lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
9. Excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to
be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self.
CLUSTER B (Antisocial PD, Borderline PD, Histrionic PD, and Narcissistic PD) -
Individuals with these disorders often appear dramatic, emotional, or erratic- 1.5% for
disorders in Cluster B.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and
violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by
three (or more) of the following:
Diagnostic Criteria:
1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning
others for personal profit or pleasure.
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
