[New trends in the classification of personality disorders]

The author makes an overview of the latest theoretical developments and of the critical views on the current classification of personality disorders. The major topics of the ongoing debate over the typology of personality disorders as presented by DSM-IV-TR are listed as the difficulties that remain in clarifying the clinical criteria, despite the clinical assessment tools and the self-assessment questionnaires that are usually employed in research. The solution to the dilemma categorical vs. dimensional in personality disorders taxonomy, as suggested by some current authors in dimensionally quantifying the diagnosis criteria for the classic types of personality disorders has received much attention. But the relevant practical solutions need more longitudinal future studies done on a congruent agenda.