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 This personality disorder can include the behaviors below. Catherine Dibenedetto, Health, 19 Mar. 2024 Psychiatrists who specialize in therapy tend to treat patients with long-lasting depression, anxiety and personality disorders, according to research. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 However, researchers have been looking for evidence of protective factors regarding personality disorders in general.6 Living With Schizoid Personality Disorder This personality disorder is long-term and likely will not improve with time. Jessica Migala, Health, 17 Nov. 2023 There's no way to prevent schizoid or other personality disorders. Jessica Migala, Health, 17 Nov. 2023 Ninety percent of inmates have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and about 70% have a personality disorder. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023 And for those who do recover, they can be left with long-term physical or mental impairments, which can range from brain dysfunction to severe intellectual impairment, personality disorders, seizures, paralysis and cranial nerve dysfunction, according to CDC. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 21 Aug. 2023 Even for people who do recover from EEE, they can be left with long-term physical or mental impairments, which can range from brain dysfunction to severe intellectual impairment, personality disorders, seizures, paralysis and cranial nerve dysfunction, according to the CDC. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2023 About 30% of children with ODD eventually develop conduct disorder—when repetitive behaviors seriously violate rules or harm other people—and 10% develop a more lasting personality disorder, like anti-social personality disorder.6 With help, ODD often improves over time. Gia Miller, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'personality disorder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personality disorder was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near personality disorder

Cite this Entry

“Personality disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personality%20disorder. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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