title: Clinical approaches to axis II comorbidity: commentary.
abstract: In a review of six clinical cases involving the treatment of a patient with two or more personality disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-Text Revision (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), five key decisions that have an impact on treatment emerged. The clinical cases are discussed and compared from the vantage points of the nature of personality disorder, extent and content of patient assessment, treatment focus and sequence, and the role of the patient-therapist relationship. The cases illuminate the complexity of these patients and the need for careful treatment construction.
authors.affiliation: Weill Medical College of Cornell University, USA. jclarkin@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Clarkin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome