Wiktionary
n. (context psychology English) A class of mental disorders characterized by ongoing rigid patterns of thought and action.
WordNet
n. inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behavior
Wikipedia
Personality disorders are a class of mental disorders characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating markedly from those accepted by the individual's culture. These patterns develop early, are inflexible, and are associated with significant distress or disability. The definitions may vary somewhat, according to source.
Official criteria for diagnosing personality disorders are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and in the mental and behavioral disorders section of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The DSM-5, lists personality disorders in the same way as other mental disorders, rather than on a separate 'axis', as previously.
Personality, defined psychologically, is the set of enduring behavioral and mental traits that distinguish between individual humans. Hence, personality disorders are defined by experiences and behaviors that differ from societal norms and expectations. Those diagnosed with a personality disorder may experience difficulties in cognition, emotiveness, interpersonal functioning, or impulse control. In general, personality disorders are diagnosed in 40–60% of psychiatric patients, making them the most frequent of psychiatric diagnosis.
Personality disorders are characterized by an enduring collection of behavioral patterns often associated with considerable personal, social, and occupational disruption. Personality disorders are also inflexible and pervasive across many situations, largely due to the fact that such behavior may be ego-syntonic (i.e. the patterns are consistent with the ego integrity of the individual) and are therefore perceived to be appropriate for that individual. This behavior can result in maladaptive coping skills, which may lead to personal problems that induce extreme anxiety, distress, or depression. These patterns of behavior typically are recognized in adolescence and the beginning of adulthood and, in some unusual instances, childhood.
Many issues occur with classifying a personality disorder. There are many categories of definition, some mild and some extreme. Because the theory and diagnosis of personality disorders occur within prevailing cultural expectations, their validity is contested by some experts on the basis of inevitable subjectivity. They argue that the theory and diagnosis of personality disorders are based strictly on social, or even sociopolitical and economic considerations.
Usage examples of "personality disorder".
He had done postdoctoral work in neurophysiology, was a lecturer on antisocial personality disorder, and was the director of the New York Forensic Mental Health Group.
As for your 'multiple personality disorder' -- I won't pretend to believe in that, but if you feel a need to playact at being someone else, I guess that's understandable.
One day I think she's manic-depressive, and the next day I'm positive that I'm looking at a classic multiple personality disorder.
Again, many books are specialized (and may, therefore, be more triggering): Terr (1992), Chase (1990), Freyd (1998) and Cameron (1996)describe the horrors of some children's abuse, followed by amnesia or Multiple Personality Disorder.
But the visitations soon dwindled to her mother and the odd aunt or uncle every month or two for the simple reason that when they came to see Maria they often found someone else-Maria suffered from multiple personality disorder.
And this moral multiple personality disorder is hardly restricted to Judaism and Christianity.
Multiple Personality Disorder was once a rare and ignored condition.
To operate on the brain for the purpose of supposedly curing a personality disorder, or a psychosis or neurosis, was an anathema to them.