[Models for understanding personality pathology].

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of personality disorders is high and patients with personality disorders are known to be difficult to treat. The assessment of different types of personality disorders has been facilitated by the development of explicit diagnostic criteria. However, the diagnostic manuals have tended to be atheoretical, defining and classifying personality disorders mainly on a descriptive level of behaviour and symptoms. There is no consensus on a theoretical understanding of personality pathology. The concept of personality disorder is currently under debate and investigation, theoretically as well as empirically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper presents some of the major theories of personality disorders that are currently discussed in the literature. RESULTS: The models represent different schools of thought, lean on different methodological assumptions, and focus on different aspects of personality. The theories are to varying degrees focused on aetiology, classification and treatment. A major trend is to supplement theories developed within the context of clinical psychiatry with models from normal psychology. INTERPRETATION: Personality disorder is a complex phenomenon. Different theories are probably useful for different aspects of personality pathology and for different groups of personality disorders. More empirical research is needed in order to clarify the validity of the different models.