Recognizing and Responding to Patients with Personality Disorders

Jillian L McGrath; Maegan S Reynolds

doi:10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.015

Recognizing and Responding to Patients with Personality Disorders

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2024 Feb;42(1):125-134. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.015. Epub 2023 Jul 31.

Authors

Jillian L McGrath¹, Maegan S Reynolds²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 750 Prior Hall, 376 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: jillian.mcgrath@osumc.edu.
² Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital Division of Emergency Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, 750 Prior Hall, 376 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

PMID: 37977744
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.015

Abstract

Caring for patients with personality disorders and traits presents unique challenges for physicians and other providers. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, recognizes 10 personality disorders, which are organized into 3 clusters (A, B, and C) based on shared diagnostic features. Personality disorders or traits create difficulty in clinical and interpersonal interactions, promoting missed diagnosis or underdiagnosis, nonadherence to medical recommendations, or other dangerous outcomes. It is important to recognize patients with potential personality disorders and understand strategies to achieve optimal patient interactions and best possible medical outcomes.

Keywords: Borderline; Cluster A; Cluster B; Cluster C; Countertransference; Personality disorder; Personality trait.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Humans
Personality Disorders* / diagnosis
Personality Disorders* / therapy