personality disorder

American  

noun

Psychiatry.

1. any of a group of mental disorders characterized by deeply ingrained maladaptive patterns of behavior and personality style, which are usually recognizable as early as adolescence and are often lifelong in duration.

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personality disorder British  

noun

1. psychiatry any of a group of mental disorders characterized by a permanent disposition to behave in ways causing suffering to oneself or others

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personality disorder Scientific  

/ pûr′sə-năl′ĭ-tē /

1. Any of a group of psychiatric disorders in which a person's abnormal self-perception or ability to relate to others results in undesirable behaviors and interferes with normal social and emotional functioning.

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Etymology

Origin of personality disorder

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

It’s a communication style or, more accurately, a manipulation tactic used by people who have a borderline personality disorder.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

Years ago, hedge-fund managers, including Julian Robertson and Steve Cohen, hired in-house therapists, including Dr. Aaron Stern, an expert in narcissistic personality disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

Bianchi did so under hypnosis, and convinced more than one psychiatrist that he suffered from multiple personality disorder.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2025

But search results showed criteria for narcissistic personality disorder, a condition marked by unreasonably high self-importance, pathological need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025

Her fondness for transformation began at an early age and has developed into something closely resembling a multiple personality disorder.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris