DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.

Abstract in brief

• The study used data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication to estimate how common DSM IV personality disorders are in the U.S. population, finding that about 5.7% have Cluster A, 1.5% Cluster B, 6.0% Cluster C, and 9.1% have any personality disorder.
• They found that these personality disorders are often comorbid with other mental health conditions (Axis I disorders) and that many of the functioning impairments linked to PDs are actually due to these other disorders rather than the PDs themselves.
• The findings raise questions about the way DSM separates personality disorders from other mental health issues, suggesting that the real public health impact of PDs is largely through their relationship with other mental disorders rather than direct effects on functioning.]