A validity study of axis II of DSM-III

Abstract

DSM-III [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III] personality disorders in a longitudinally followed community sample of middle-aged inner city mean were examined. Eighty-six (23%) of the subjects received an axis II diagnosis of personality disorder. Although these men received relatively little psychiatric attention, they were severely impaired in terms of how they felt about themselves, how others saw their global mental health and their ability to work and to love. When the strong overlap with alcoholism was controlled for, personality disorder was clearly related to adaptive problems that manifested by early aldolescence. Early deficiencies of biology, environmental support and ego strength apparently contribute to the development of personality disorder.