personality disorder

noun

plural personality disorders

: any of various psychological disorders that are characterized by persistent inflexible or impaired patterns of thought and behavior that usually cause difficulties in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships and in meeting the daily demands of one's personal and work life and that typically become apparent during adolescence or early adulthood

Note: Personality disorders are typically accompanied by three types of presentations: intense and unstable emotions, eccentric and odd behavior, or extreme fear or nervousness.

As a diagnosable personality disorder, narcissism occurs more often in males than females, often developing in the teenage years or early adulthood and becoming more extreme with age.

—Jane E. Brody

Recent studies have shown that personality disorders, especially the one seen most frequently in clinical settings—borderline personality disorder—are common …, are associated with high levels of self-injury and suicide, and have a considerable, stressful effect on families.

—S. Charles Schultz

see antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, multiple personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder

Examples of personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, red flags involving manipulation, control, disrespect, or any form of abuse can be signs of personality disorders that are nearly impossible to change—if at all. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025

Masochism, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980, is a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of self-defeating behavior. —Judith Joseph, Contributor, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025

Some mental health conditions, like severe depression, PTSD, or personality disorders, require more comprehensive treatment. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025

This dimension includes positive outcomes such as happiness, positivity, satisfaction and high self-esteem as well as negative outcomes such as depression, negative emotions, relationship issues, stress and susceptibility to disorders like anxiety, addiction and mood or personality disorders. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for personality disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Medical Definition

personality disorder

noun

: any of various psychological disorders that are characterized by persistent inflexible or impaired patterns of thought and behavior that usually cause difficulties in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships and in meeting the daily demands of one's personal and work life and that typically become apparent during adolescence or early adulthood

Note: Personality disorders are typically accompanied by three types of presentations: intense and unstable emotions, eccentric and odd behavior, or extreme fear or nervousness.

As a diagnosable personality disorder, narcissism occurs more often in males than females, often developing in the teenage years or early adulthood and becoming more extreme with age.

—Jane E. Brody

Recent studies have shown that personality disorders, especially the one seen most frequently in clinical settings—borderline personality disorder—are common …, are associated with high levels of self-injury and suicide, and have a considerable, stressful effect on families.

—S. Charles Schultz

see antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, multiple personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder