RESUMO
Despite the high prevalence of personality disorders and their significant effect on human functioning, it is only recently that they have been investigated to any extend. This book reviews recent studies on the epidemiology of personality disorders in the general population, among users of primary health care facilities and among psychiatric patients, drawing attention to the comorbidity of these disorders. The main issues related to the classification of personality disorders and their assessment are discussed, using criteria from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth revision (ICD-10) and the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statisticl Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R), and recommendations made for future studies. Annexed to the book are the ICD-10 clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines, and the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for research for this group of disorders
