Personality disorders are conditions that can complicate impairment and disability assessment. It is important that the evaluating physician recognize these disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV)1 defines ten specific personality disorders in addition to an eleventh condition, Personality Disorder NOS, which allows for combined features of the various personality disorders as well as personality conditions which are not specifically listed. The ten listed personality disorders are divided into three clusters.
Personality disorders represent enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate markedly from those expected by the individual—s culture. These inflexible and pervasive patterns reflect problems with cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning and impulse control, and lead to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. By their very nature, personality disorders are often unrecognized...
