The perceived clarity and understandability of the DSM-IV personality disorder criteria sets

One of the expressed aims of the DSM-IV revision process was to "increase t he clarity" and the understandability of the personality disorder (PD) crit eria. This was an important goal as previous research had showed the DSM-II I-R PD criteria to have problems with clarity. To assess the degree to whic h this goal was achieved, we had two groups (psychiatrists and lay persons) rate the clarity of the DSM-IV PD criteria and the criteria for major depr essive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The lay gr oup rated five of the 10 PDs criteria sets and the criteria for PTSD as bei ng significantly more clear than did the mental health professionals. No di fference was seen between the two groups on their ratings of the MDD criter ia. In addition, the professional group rated two of the PD criteria sets ( borderline and schizotypal) as being less clear than the MDD criteria, whil e the lay group rated eight of the PD criteria sets as being more clear tha n the MDD criteria. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.