personality disorder

noun

plural personality disorders

: any of various psychological disorders that are characterized by persistent inflexible or impaired patterns of thought and behavior that usually cause difficulties in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships and in meeting the daily demands of one's personal and work life and that typically become apparent during adolescence or early adulthood

Note: Personality disorders are typically accompanied by three types of presentations: intense and unstable emotions, eccentric and odd behavior, or extreme fear or nervousness.

As a diagnosable personality disorder, narcissism occurs more often in males than females, often developing in the teenage years or early adulthood and becoming more extreme with age.

—Jane E. Brody

Recent studies have shown that personality disorders, especially the one seen most frequently in clinical settings—borderline personality disorder—are common …, are associated with high levels of self-injury and suicide, and have a considerable, stressful effect on families.

—S. Charles Schultz

see antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, multiple personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder

Examples of personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kelley pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and was put on probation for three years after she was diagnosed with a personality disorder, according to the BBC and The Independent. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

This trait is also moderately linked to lower risk of personality disorders due to its association with prosocial behaviors and a low tendency toward deceit or exploitation. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

In a matter of months, Army has shed a sort of football personality disorder and once again thrives on complements. —Brian Hamilton, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

These episodes are also a painful reminder of my sister, who has a personality disorder and exhibits similar behavior toward me. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

personality disorder

noun

: any of various psychological disorders that are characterized by persistent inflexible or impaired patterns of thought and behavior that usually cause difficulties in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships and in meeting the daily demands of one's personal and work life and that typically become apparent during adolescence or early adulthood

Note: Personality disorders are typically accompanied by three types of presentations: intense and unstable emotions, eccentric and odd behavior, or extreme fear or nervousness.

As a diagnosable personality disorder, narcissism occurs more often in males than females, often developing in the teenage years or early adulthood and becoming more extreme with age.

—Jane E. Brody

Recent studies have shown that personality disorders, especially the one seen most frequently in clinical settings—borderline personality disorder—are common …, are associated with high levels of self-injury and suicide, and have a considerable, stressful effect on families.

—S. Charles Schultz

see antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, multiple personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder