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

He cited a psychiatric expert who diagnosed the defendant with a narcissistic personality disorder.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

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

In her early teens, her parents say, she began showing signs of borderline personality disorder, attention deficit disorder and depression.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

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

When they said I had avoidant personality disorder, she told them I just hadn’t learned to be comfortable in my own skin.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson