Emerging approaches to the conceptualization and treatment of personality disorder

Personality disorders are both prevalent and debilitating, but controversies abound concerning the definition, assessment and treatment of these conditions. This review examines major approaches to conceptualizing the personality disorders, as recently emerging in DSM-5, Section III, and the research domain criteria initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health. Three prominent models for understanding these disorders (neural functioning, interpersonal model, and the cognitive-affective processing system model) are considered with their relevant empirical foundations. The implications for future psychopathology and treatment research and practice are detailed.