Personality disorders: an overview for the physician

Personality disorders are common clinical syndromes that often go unrecognized in medical practice. Because patients with personality disorders receive care in all clinical settings, physicians could profit from a heightened awareness of the personality psychopathology of their patients and its impact on medical practice. Personality traits are universal and describe the "normal" range of behavior, while personality disorders are characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns. The etiology of personality disorders is multifactorial. Physician awareness of the multiple manifestations of specific personality disorders is helpful in matching the proper interventions to appropriate patients. Although management is symptomatically palliative rather than curative, physicians and patients alike can benefit from appropriate recognition and treatment of personality disorders.