Passive-aggressive personality disorder: the demise of a syndrome.
This article presents an explanation and critique of the rationale for dropping passive-aggressive personality disorder (PAPD) from DSM-IV. The clinical and research literature on PAPD is reviewed along with the historical changes in definition, diagnostic criteria, and usage. PAPD can be reliably diagnosed, is fairly prevalent, and has good internal consistency. Because PAPD is no less valid than other personality disorders, and describes clinical phenomena that are unique among personality disorders, we recommend the reinstatement of PAPD in the official diagnostic nomenclature.
Wetzler
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Morey
L C
LC
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010324:Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology