Abstract

The article discusses about the dimensional personality disorder diagnosis. The committee revising the ICD-11 Mental or Behavioral Disorders section ‘Personality Disorders and Related Traits’ has proposed replacing categorical personality disorders with a severity gradient ranging from personality difficulties to severe personality disorder and five trait domains: negative affectivity, dissocial, disinhibition, anankastic and detachment. While acknowledging that there are multiple potential pathways for moving toward a more evidence-based and clinically useful scheme for classifying personality dysfunction, we applaud and support the proposed transition from a categorical model of personality disorder types, which has proven to be empirically problematic and of limited clinical utility, to a dimensional model of personality disorder that has considerable connection to scientific evidence and potential for clinical application. Past scientists believed that the sun revolved around the earth, the brain was organized according to the principles of phrenology, and spirits were responsible for psychiatric problems. It is a testament to science that these views gave way to a more accurate model of nature. The new perspectives that replaced them contributed to major advancements in astronomy, neuroscience and mental health. The proposed changes would enhance diagnostic efficiency and patient care while spurring research that can further improve the assessment and treatment of psychopathology. As clinicians and researchers who have dedicated our careers to understanding and helping people with personality pathology, we urge the ICD-11 PD work group to remain committed to an evidence-based revision of personality disorder diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)