Epidemiology

Across studies in the US, prevalence rates for personality disorders range from 9% to 11.2%.[4][5]​​ One large-scale community study utilizing a structured interview administered by trained lay interviewers obtained a prevalence rate for any personality disorder of 14.79%.[6] However, in the second wave of this study, with stricter criteria applied regarding level of distress or impairment, prevalence rate for any personality disorder was 9.1%.[7] A 2018 systematic review looking at the prevalence of personality disorder in Western populations found the rate to be 12.2%, although the reviewers did not find any studies that used DSM-5 criteria.[8]

Schizoid personality disorder is more common in men, with schizotypal personality disorder diagnosed equally between men and women.[7] Antisocial personality disorder is more prevalent among men than women; men were also found to have higher rates of disorders in clusters A (odd/eccentric) and B (dramatic) compared with women.[4][6][9]​​​ The prevalence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) for adults in the US is approximately 0.7% to 2.7%.[3][10][11]​​ European studies have found higher prevalence rates of cluster B disorders in the younger age group.[12][13]​ Prevalence rates for the various clusters range from 1.5% for cluster B to 6.0% for cluster C.[9]

Research is limited and inconsistent in terms of differential prevalence rates between various ethnic groups.[6][9]​​​ Application of the impairment criteria prevalence rates for having any personality disorder were found to range from 5.31% for Asian/Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic people to 17.37% for American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic people.[7] A review of 15 studies (with 5 considered to be high quality) concluded that prevalence of personality disorder is lower among African-Americans compared with white people, and that limited data preclude further conclusions.[14]

Prevalence of most personality disorders decreases with age.[4][5][6][9]

People with personality disorders often have comorbid psychiatric disorders. Among patients with BPD, lifetime prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders exceeds 80%. The lifetime prevalence of substance use disorder is 78%.[3]​ Bipolar II disorder has been reported in 37% of patients with BPD; attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in 33%; post-traumatic stress disorder in 30%; and bipolar I disorder in 21%.[15]

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