The DSM-IV Personality Disorders [Hardcover]

John W. Livesley (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0898622573 | ISBN-13: 978-0898622577 | Edition: 1

Reflecting the tremendous progress in the study of personality disorders, this authoritative work examines the background, influences on, and evolution of DSM-IV classification and offers critical analyses of each personality disorder diagnosis. A thorough assessment of both the achievements and limitations of DSM-IV, the book is clearly written and organized for optimal accessibility. Part I lays the groundwork for subsequent sections by surveying the history of personality disorders classification and examining the influences and compromises that were required to formulate the system. An insightful European perspective on the contemporary significance of DSM-IV reflects a more critical evaluation. Chapters in Part II review the literature on the ten DSM-IV personality disorders diagnoses, offering a unique look at the approach used to define each diagnosis and the factors that influenced the selection of diagnostic criteria. Also included are critical commentaries on each diagnosis by recognized experts who were not part of the DSM?IV Work Group. Containing valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the DSM-IV classification, these commentaries also highlight central problems that remain unsolved. The diagnostic concepts that have been proposed but not included in DSM-IV are covered in Part III, which examines the reasons particular diagnoses were included or omitted. The limitations of the DSM classification system are illuminated in Part IV where chapters consider controversial issues and alternative approaches. Providing a detailed update for psychiatric clinicians, clinical psychologists, researchers, residents, educators, and students, this volume presents an important account of the current state of the classification of personality disorder. By identifying and exploring key issues it sets the stage for the empirical and conceptual work required to build the foundation for a valid classification of disordered personality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For the clinician or researcher interested in the current state of knowledge about personality disorders and how they should be conceptualized, classified and defined, this book is a gold mine. It not only includes a discussion of each of the DSM-IV personality disorders prepared by members of the DSM-IV Personality Disorders Work Group, but also presents critical commentaries on many of the controversial DSM-IV personality disorders, such as borderline and antisocial personality disorder.

Having been an insider-outsider to the DSM-IV process, I can attest to the accuracy of the accounts of the DSM-IV Personality Work Group controversies and how they were resolved, such as the deletion of the DSM-III-R appendix categories of Sadistic and Self-defeating Personality Disorder. The DSM categorical approach to personality disorder classification is critically examined in several chapters and alternative models are presented.

Dr. Livesley, the editor, and himself an important personality disorder researcher, is to be congratulated for providing the field with such a useful and important book." --Robert L. Spitzer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University and former Chair, DSM-III and DSM-III-R Work Group

"W. John Livesley, the editor of this volume, has assembled an outstanding group of authors who cover the background and decisions on the diagnostic criteria for all of the personality disorders in DSM-IV. Most importantly, the editor recognizes the limitations of DSM-IV, and has directed the authors to also discuss and consider alternative approaches to the description of personality disorders and problems. Any student or scholar on personality pathology must read this book." --John F. Clarkin, Ph.D., The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division, Dept of Psychology
"This volume is an essential companion to the DSM-IV for clinicians and researchers concerned with personality disorders and personality theory. Reports by members of the DSM-IV Work Group present the background information and reasons for changes made in the personality disorder definitions. Commentaries by other experts provide a lively and thought-provoking counterpoint. But what is most exciting to the scholar is that all of these details are combined with thoughtful and rich discussions of the key conceptual issues and theoretical perspectives that must be considered in the ongoing effort to build a useful and robust taxonomy of personality pathology." --Marjorie H. Klein, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Dept. of Psychiatry

About the Author

Dr. John Livesley, MD, PhD is Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at University of British Columbia, a position he has held since 1992.

Dr. Livesley was born just outside Liverpool, England. He completed an undergraduate degree at University of Liverpool and a Ph.D. in psychology with a thesis on the development of personality. After a brief period on faculty at University of Liverpool and experience in a child guidance clinic, he completed medical training, again at University of Liverpool. Subsequently, he moved to University of Edinburgh for specialist training in psychiatry. He was Lecturer in Psychiatry at University of Edinburgh from 1977 until 1979, when he moved to University of Calgary. In 1987, he became Professor of Psychiatry and National Health Research Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Colombia.

Dr. Livesley's academic interests are in the classification, assessment, and etiology of personality disorders. He also has an interest in the general problem of classifying mental disorders. His research on personality disorder has focused on identifying some of the basic components of personality pathology and investigating the environmental and genetic factors that contribute to personalty problems. His clinical interests are in the treatment of personality disorder with particular emphasis on psychological interventions.

Dr. Livesley was recently appointed editor of the Journal of Personality Disorders, and he has served as advisor to the DSM-IIIR and DSM-IV working groups on the classification of personality disorder.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 500 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (May 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898622573
• ISBN-13: 978-0898622577
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)