PERSONALITY-DISORDERS - AN OVERVIEW FOR THE PHYSICIAN

Personality disorders are common clinical syndromes that often go unre cognized in medical practice. Because patients with personality disord ers receive care in all clinical settings, physicians could profit fro m a heightened awareness of the personality psychopathology of their p atients and its impact on medical practice. Personality traits are uni versal and describe the ''normal'' range of behavior, while personalit y disorders are characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns. The et iology of personality disorders is multifactorial. Physician awareness of the multiple manifestations of specific personality disorders is h elpful in matching the proper interventions to appropriate patients. A lthough management is symptomatically palliative rather than curative, physicians and patients alike can benefit from appropriate recognitio n and treatment of personality disorders.