autistic disorder
Personality disorder
characterized by at least 3 of the following: (a) persistent and pervasive
feelings of tension and apprehension; Associated features may include hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism. |
A personality disorder is a severe disturbance in the characterological constitution and behavioural tendencies of the individual, usually involving several areas of the personality, and nearly always associated with considerable personal and social disruption. Personality disorder tends to appear in late childhood or adolescence and continues to be manifest into adulthood. It is therefore unlikely that the diagnosis of personality disorder will be appropriate before the age of 16 or 17 years. General diagnostic guidelines applying to all personality disorders are presented below; supplementary descriptions are provided with each of the subtypes. |
Diagnostic
guidelines > Conditions not directly attributable to gross brain damage or disease, or to another psychiatric disorder, meeting the following criteria: (a) markedly
dysharmonious attitudes and behaviour, involving usually
several areas of functioning, e.g. affectivity, arousal,
impulse control, ways of perceiving and thinking, and
style of relating to others; For different cultures it may be necessary to develop specific sets of criteria with regard to social norms, rules and obligations. For diagnosing most of the subtypes listed below, clear evidence is usually required of the presence of at least three of the traits or behaviours given in the clinical description. |