Opinions of personality disorder experts regarding the DSM-IV personality disorders classification system

Objective: To survey the opinions of personality disorder (PD) experts on possible revisions in the classification system for PDs in the DSM-V. Method: Four hundred members of two international associations, the Association for Research on Personality Disorders, and the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, were asked to take a 78-item web survey. Results: Of the experts who completed the survey (N = 96), 74% felt that the DSM-lV's categorical system of PD diagnosis should be replaced. Eighty percent felt that PDs are better conceived of as personality dimensions or illness spectra, than as categories. The most frequently endorsed alternative system for PDs was a mixed system of categories and dimensions. Most experts preferred the PDs to remain on Axis II. Only 31.3% wanted the term, "Borderline Personality Disorder," retained in the DSM-V. Conclusions: A clear majority of the PD experts were dissatisfied with the current diagnostic system for PDs.