Diagnosis of DSM-III-R personality disorders by two structured interviews: patterns of comorbidity

Abstract

Substantial overlap occurred among personality disorders. In this group of patients, consistent patterns of comorbidity involving narcissistic, avoidant, and histrionic personality disorders suggest that categorical distinctions between them and certain other DSM-III-R personality disorders may be illusory. The question of which of two overlapping disorders is more valid, however, is left unanswered. For clinical purposes, a two-level diagnostic convention is proposed.