title: [DSM-5 classification of personality disorders in older persons].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although it is generally agreed that personality disorders are an important topic in old-age psychiatry, DSM-5 has paid relatively little attention to older persons affected with this severe mental disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To look closely and carefully at several aspects of the way in which DSM-5 defines personality disorders relating to older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  We make a critical evaluation of the description of personality disorders given in DSM-5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  First of all, we question whether the phrase 'personality change due to another medical condition' should really be included in the dsm-5 chapter of personality disorders because a personality change actually has the features of a persistent conduct disorder. Secondly, we argue that in a future revised version of dsm-5 personality disorders affecting older persons should be referred to specifically as 'late-onset' personality disorders. Thirdly, we stress that the research programme relating to the dimensional dsm-5 model of personality disorders should involve a larger number of older persons. In addition, more research is needed with regard to the use, wording and validity of the phrase 'personality change due to a medical condition'. Those responsible for the revision of the DSM-5 should ensure that the concept 'late-onset personality disorders' is incorporated in the text.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The description of personality disorders in DSM-5 is confusing. This is probably due to the transitional period between the old categorical (dsm-iv) system and the newly proposed dimensional approach to personality disorders in DSM-5, an approach that needs further investigation. However, this intervening period could be a good opportunity for doing further research into personality disorders in older adults.
authors.forename: S P J
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: van Alphen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dierckx
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Oude Voshaar
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology