Lifelong, persistent, deeply ingrained maladaptive behaviour that characterises an individual and deviates markedly from culturally expected or expected ‘normal’ range

Aetiology

• Developmental conditions that appear in childhood or adolescence and continue into adult life
• Genetic and environmental influences
• They are not secondary to another psychiatric disorder or brain disease, although they may precede or coexist with other disorders
• Cannot be explained as a manifestation or consequence of other adult mental disorders

Cluster 'A' personality disorders - odd and eccentric

Paranoid - 4 of:

• Excessive sensitivity to setbacks
• Tendency to bear grudges
• Suspiciousness and tendency to misconstrue the neutral/friendly actions of others as hostile/contemptuous
• A combative and tenacious sense of personal rights out of keeping with the actual situation
• Recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding sexual fidelity of partner
• Persistent self-referential attitude, associated particularly with excessive self-importance
• Preoccupation with unsubstantiated 'conspiratorial' explanations of events in the world at large

Schizoid - 4 of:

• Few, if any, activities provide pleasure
• Emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity
• Limited capacity to express warm feelings for others as well as anger
• Indifferent to either praise or criticism of others