title: Personality disorders in primary care.
abstract: Managing patients with personality disorders is an unfortunate, yet inevitable, aspect of the primary care practice. The epidemiology and origin of these disorders are briefly discussed. This article discusses both formal criteria for diagnosis and informal indicators that are clues for the physician to consider these disorders. In addition, relevant clinical cases are presented and reviewed. This article also outlines some practical management strategies to help the physician more effectively and efficiently deal with these troublesome patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016079:Refusal to Treat