Personality disorders: Challenges in diagnosis

Abstract

The historical background of mental disorders focusing on personality disorders is interesting. It serves as a guide to explore new developments regarding the classification of individuals who do not fit into the normal findings in the general population. It aids balanced review of the uncertainties and challenges of modern psychiatrists in labelling ‘unfitting’ members of the society whose traits have been deemed skewed comparing with the limits of ‘normal’ findings in the general population. This article reviews the challenges associated with diagnosing personality disorders. It expounds on the historical trends and theories describing normal personality and personality disorders, as well as the benefits and shortcomings of advances in diagnosing personality disorders. The article also explores the clinical, ethical and medicolegal issues that pose as challenges to the diagnosis of personality disorders. In conclusion, the article outlines possible modifications and recommendations that would guide future reviews in this area of psychiatry.