What is the difference between personality disorders and other psychological disorders (e.g., mood disorders)? Why is there more disagreement in the mental health profession regarding the categorization of personality disorders?

What will be an ideal response?


Sample Answer: Personality disorders are defined as "enduring patterns of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and oneself that are exhibited in a wide range of social and personal contexts," and are inflexible and maladaptive. They also cause significant functional impairment or subjective distress. They are unlike mood disorders in that are more ingrained and inflexible, and these disorders are typically not easy to modify. There is a great deal of controversy about defining the personality disorders because they are often extreme versions of personality characteristics that are present in people in general. Some have argued that the personality disorders should be considered as continuums, rather than categories to which people either belong or don't. However, there is still debate about the characteristics of the disorders, and even which ones should be included in the DSM.

Psychology

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Psychology