What is the easiest way to remember personality disorders?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 6, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

The easiest way to remember personality disorders is to focus on the single personality disorder diagnosis in ICD-11, characterized by problems in functioning of aspects of the self and/or interpersonal dysfunction, and differentiated according to severity into mild, moderate, and severe, with optional specification by the presence of one or multiple maladaptive personality traits. To simplify this, consider the key aspects of the ICD-11 personality disorder diagnosis:

  • Problems in functioning of aspects of the self (e.g., identity)
  • Interpersonal dysfunction (e.g., managing conflict in relationships)
  • Severity: mild, moderate, or severe
  • Optional specification by maladaptive personality traits: Negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition, anankastia, and Borderline pattern 1. This approach is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which emphasizes the shift towards dimensionality in the classification of personality disorders in ICD-11 1. Some key points to remember about the ICD-11 approach to personality disorders include:
  • The replacement of discrete categories with a single diagnosis
  • The importance of severity and maladaptive traits in characterizing the disorder
  • The focus on clinical utility and simplicity in the revision of the personality disorders grouping 1. By focusing on these key aspects, clinicians can develop a straightforward and effective approach to remembering and working with personality disorders in clinical practice.

From the Research

Easiest Way to Remember Personality Disorders

There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies do not discuss methods for remembering personality disorders.

  • The study 2 discusses Cluster A personality disorders, including schizotypal, schizoid, and paranoid personality disorders, and their diagnosis in children and adolescents.
  • The study 3 discusses cardiac pacing for severe childhood neurally mediated syncope with reflex anoxic seizures, and is not relevant to personality disorders.
  • Neither study provides information on how to remember personality disorders, so no specific methods can be recommended based on the available evidence 2, 3.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.