Personality disorders are complex to both identify and manage. All humans have a unique personality. Personality is what distinguishes us from each other and shapes our thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Personality disorders may be diagnosed when behaviour differs from expected norms, and abnormal traits in behaviour are persistent, pervasive and problematic. This article will provide an overview of the classification of personality disorders and the factors that contribute to their development. It will then consider dissocial personality disorder, the personality disorder encountered most often by GPs, in more detail. Finally, the benefits of countertransference are considered in an overview of the interaction between GPs and patients with a personality disorder. A disorder in personality is denned as being when observed behaviour persistently differs from the expected cultural norms of behaviour. Differences in behaviour are exemplified by impairments in cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning and impulse control. According to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th addition (ICD-10), the diagnosis of a personality disorder can be made when such behaviour traits have been present since childhood and result in personal distress and social disturbance. In addition, disturbances in personality and behaviour must not be the result of other mental health disorders, physical diseases or brain trauma (ICD-10).
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