AP09 Personality Disorders Overview

When we describe people's actions as introverted, brave, gregarious, we are implying that their behaviors are caused by their personality traits. Trait based explanations of personality appeal to our beliefs about human nature. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th Edition) states that the sum of an individual's traits constitutes his or her personality. Someone with a personality disorder is believed to possess a pattern of inner experience and behavior that significantly deviates from the expectations of an individual's culture.This course will discuss the origins of personality disorders, their diagnosis, and options for treatment.