title: An empirically-based classification of personality disorder.
abstract: An empirically-based classification is proposed based on studies of the phenotypic structure and genetic architecture of personality disorder. The proposed system has two parts: (1) a definition of general personality disorder, and (2) a system for diagnosing different forms of disorder. General personality disorder is conceptualized as a pervasive disturbance in the overall structure and organization of the personality system that is manifested as the failure to establish a coherent self-system and the capacity for adaptive interpersonal and social behavior. Different forms of disorder are represented by a dimensional system consisting of 30 primary traits organized into four higher-order domains. The system is intended to offer a systematic and comprehensive diagnosis of personality disorder for clinical and research purposes. It is also intended to be used in a flexible but prescribed way to provide a diagnostic assessment tailored to different assessment needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. livesley@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: W John
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Livesley
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*