Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PD-NOS)

Personality disorder not otherwise specified (PD-NOS), also known as personality disorder NOS, was a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV-TR). It was used for clinically significant problems in personality functioning that did not fit into any of the other existing personality disorder categories.

Changes to Personality Disorder NOS in DSM-5

In the newer Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), personality disorder not otherwise specified has been replaced by personality disorder—trait specified (PD-TS). A PD-TS diagnosis is given when an individual exhibits characteristics of a personality disorder but does not fully meet the criteria for any specific one. It is possible to have symptoms from several different personality disorders.

Types and Features of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are characterized by patterns of thinking and feeling about oneself and others that cause significant impairment in everyday functioning and relationships. There are ten personality disorders listed in the DSM-5:

1. Borderline Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by turbulent relationships, paranoid thinking, fear of abandonment, emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, and an unstable sense of self.

2. Paranoid Personality Disorder: Individuals with this disorder may be socially isolated, hostile, and constantly worried that others have ulterior motives. They may also have difficulty working and getting along with others.

3. Avoidant Personality Disorder: Individuals with avoidant personality disorder are typically very shy, easily hurt, and see themselves as inferior to others. They may avoid situations or jobs that require contact with others, have difficulty opening up in romantic relationships, and overreact to situations.

4. Schizoid Personality Disorder: This disorder may be related to schizophrenia but is less severe. Individuals with schizoid personality disorder may be emotionally unavailable, distant, and isolated from others. They may have no desire for close relationships, even with family members.

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: While similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) has distinct features. Individuals with OCPD have a rigid adherence to rules and lists, are perfectionists, and have difficulty being flexible, generous, or showing affection. They may also be obsessed with work.

6. Antisocial Personality Disorder: This disorder involves behavior that is often criminal. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder tend to manipulate others, disregard others' safety, lie, steal, and fight. They may also lack remorse for their actions, violate others' rights, engage in substance abuse, and break the law.

7. Histrionic Personality Disorder: Individuals with histrionic personality disorder often need to be the center of attention and engage in intense emotional drama to achieve this. They may also have difficulty dealing with criticism, blame others for their failures, worry excessively about what others think, behave impulsively, and be overly concerned about their appearance.

8. Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated sense of self and importance, lack empathy for others, and focus almost entirely on themselves and their needs.

9. Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Unlike individuals with schizophrenia, those with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) are in touch with reality and do not experience hallucinations or delusions. Symptoms of SPD include strange beliefs and fears, discomfort in social situations, lack of close friends, unusual appearance or behavior, and difficulty expressing feelings appropriately.

10. Dependent Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by excessive dependence on others for physical and emotional needs. Individuals with dependent personality disorder may be unwilling to be alone, unable to make independent decisions, unable to express disagreement, become passive in interpersonal relationships, excessively care about what others think, worry about abandonment, and be unable to deal with criticism or disapproval.