Personality and personality disorder

Abstract Personality disorders are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions that attract much stigma, and negative reactions from clinicians and the public. Yet, they are common and carry the risk of higher rates of other mental disorders and premature mortality. This updated chapter sets out new ways of assessing and diagnosing specific personality disorders, taking account of the epidemiology in clinical and population settings. The chapter then sets out the array of potential aetiological influences, and treatment methods. Necessarily, ethical issues are discussed as this group of patients attracts negative and sometimes unhelpful reactions from clinicians. Therefore, the chapter also sets out why care systems should include appropriate supervision and training.