Extent of comorbidity between mental state and personality disorders

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Comorbidity between Axis I (major psychiatric) and Axis II (personality) disorders is common and complex.
• Strong associations exist between substance use disorders and Cluster B personality disorders.
• Anxiety disorders are linked to Cluster C personality disorders, and somatization disorders show links to both Cluster B and C.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the intricate relationships between Axis I and Axis II disorders.
• To understand how this comorbidity influences treatment outcomes.
• To propose a framework for interpreting the significance of these associations.

Main Methods:

• Review of empirical studies on patients with and without comorbid Axis I and Axis II disorders.
• Analysis of the strength and nature of associations between specific disorder categories.
• Exploration of potential underlying personality dispositions.

Main Results:

• Comorbidity is widespread, strong, and often confusing.
• Specific patterns of association were identified: substance use with Cluster B, anxiety with Cluster C, and somatization with Clusters B and C.
• The presence of personality disorders unpredictably affects treatment outcomes, both positively and negatively.

Conclusions:

• The significance of Axis I and Axis II comorbidity is multifaceted and not fully understood.
• Personality disorders can significantly impact treatment prognosis in unpredictable ways.
• Postulating personality dispositions may offer a useful interpretive model for understanding these complex comorbidities.