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 argued that his daughter suffered from a personality disorder which affected her judgement.

From BBC

Trying to look manly and tough when your entire regime, from the top on down, consists of shifty characters with a wide range of obvious personality disorders might seem like a categorical error.

From Salon

There are many types of personality disorders, and they may overlap.

From MarketWatch

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

From Los Angeles Times

“I think he has some kind of narcissistic personality disorder,” said one money manager who heard Lippmann’s pitch but did not do his trade.

From Literature