personality disorders (prevalence and facts)

Question 1

paranoid personality disorder

Answer 1

• prevalence: 2.3%–4.4% (general population)
• more common in males
• increased risk in relatives of those with schizophrenia
• often seen in early adulthood

Question 2

schizoid personality disorder

Answer 2

• prevalence: 3.1%–4.9%
• slightly more common in males
• may precede or co-occur with schizotypal, paranoid, or avoidant PD
• risk factor: family history of schizophrenia or schizotypal PD

Question 3

schizotypal personality disorder

Answer 3

• prevalence: 0.6%–4.6%
• slightly more common in males
• strong genetic link with schizophrenia
• may precede schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

Question 4

antisocial personality disorder

Answer 4

• prevalence: 0.2%–3.3%
• much more common in males
• higher rates in prison populations (up to 70%)
• must have conduct disorder before age 15

Question 5

borderline personality disorder

Answer 5

• prevalence: 1.6%–5.9%
• more common in females (75% of clinical cases)
• high rates of self-harm and suicide attempts (10% die by suicide)
• often co-occurs with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders

Question 6

histrionic personality disorder

Answer 6

• prevalence: 1.84% (general population)
• slightly more common in females, but may be underdiagnosed in males
• associated with somatic symptom disorders
• tends to diminish with age

Question 7

narcissistic personality disorder

Answer 7

• prevalence: 0%–6.2%
• more common in males (50%–75% of cases)
• risk factors: childhood neglect, excessive praise or criticism
• may co-occur with antisocial, borderline, or histrionic PD

Question 8

avoidant personality disorder

Answer 8

• prevalence: 2.4%
• equally common in males and females
• high overlap with social anxiety disorder
• stable over time but may improve with treatment

Question 9

dependent personality disorder

Answer 9

• prevalence: 0.5%–0.6%
• more common in females
• risk factors: separation anxiety disorder in childhood, chronic illness
• often co-occurs with depressive and anxiety disorders

Question 10

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)

Answer 10

• prevalence: 2.1%–7.9% (most common PD)
• more common in males
• higher risk in first-degree relatives
• ego-syntonic: individuals view behaviors as appropriate (unlike OCD)