title: Dimensional classification and behavioral pharmacology of personality disorders; a review and hypothesis.
abstract: Nosological orientation in psychiatry has severely hampered the progress of research in biological psychiatry, especially in the case of personality disorders. Dimensional approaches have redefined the characteristics of these disorders and their possible pathogenetic factors. The significance of arousal and stress, so far relatively neglected in clinical research, and its important function in adaptive and coping strategies has to be included in the study of the behavioral pharmacology of personality disorders. Some preliminary clinical data are available suggesting the potential therapeutic use of serotonin modulating agents in the key symptomatology of certain personality disorders such as disturbed impulsive regulation and increased stress reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Department of Biological Psychiatry, AC Venray, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuinier
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors