Personality and Psychopathology (American Psychopathological Association)

" "Personality and Psychopathology" provides a welcome, scholarly and informative snapshot of the fast-moving fields of personality theory and development, and of personality psychopathology and its treatment. Some of the most well-known researchers and clinicians in the area are contributors to the volume, and the scope of their subject matter includes personality structure and its longitudinal course; assessment of personality styles, dimensions, or disorders; and treatment and outcome of personality disorders. The book is packed with useful information and is highly recommended to all mental health clinicians."-- "John M. Oldham, M.D., Elizabeth K. Dollard Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Medicine, and Law, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Director, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York"

"The annual volumes of the American Psychopathological Association have provided the mental health field with focused scholarly reviews. The present volume, edited by Dr. Cloninger is a pithy summary of the state of the art and science in the emerging field of personality and psychopathology. Himself a pioneer in this field, Dr. Cloninger is joined by a select group of clinical scientists who have done some of the most provocative research on personality."-- "Hagop Akiskal, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Director of International Mood Center, University of California, San Diego, California"

"The book's comprehensiveness is impressive; it is current in its thinking and important in a somewhat unknown area.... The book is quite integrative, especially given the various research interests of the authors.... Considering the interplay between Axis I and Axis II conditions and the important consequences of such comorbidities, this book should have great appeal to psychiatrists and other mental health care practitioners. It is an excellent reference book that I believe will stay current throughout the next several years at least."-- "Psychiatric Times"

New findings have clarified the fundamental importance of personality in the development of psychopathology. It has for some time been noted that patients with clinical syndromes like depression frequently display personality disorders as well. More recently, studies have linked schizophrenia, bulimia, major depressive disorder, and social phobia to schizotypal, depressive, borderline, and avoidant personality disorders.

Personality and Psychopathology supersedes any prior volume on the connection between psychopathology and personality traits. This reference compiles the most recent findings from more than 30 internationally recognized experts. It analyzes the association between personality and psychopathology from several interlocking perspectives -- descriptive, developmental, etiological, and therapeutic -- concluding that the association is strong and important, no matter what angle it is considered from.

The book is divided into sections on clinical assessment, development and neurobiological and psychosocial causes, and treatment. Unlike similar works that focus predominantly on personality disorders, this text also deals with general psychopathology and its development, causes, and treatment. It successfully tackles five crucial questions: What is the role of personality in psychopathology? What is normal personality structure and development? What is a personality disorder? What causes good and bad personality development? What are the recommended treatments and the outcome of personality disorders?

Complete with illustrative charts, this all-inclusive resource provides invaluable information on the link between personality and psychopathology.

C. Robert Cloninger, M.D., is Wallace Renard Professor of Psychiatry at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.