ICD-11 Personality Disorder in Adolescents: Potentials and Pitfalls

Dear Colleagues,

In the ICD-11 diagnostical classification system, a dimensional approach to personality disorder (PD) is introduced. Here, impairments in both self and interpersonal functioning along a dimensional line from no disorder to severe PD is at the very heart of the definition of the disorder. With this Special Issue, we aim to set the scene for scholars to discuss strengths, opportunities and potential pitfalls related to conceptualizing, diagnosing and treating adolescents with PD within the ICD-11dimensional approach.

We invite both conceptual and empirical papers on the topic of, but not limited to:

1) Why, how, and when to integrate a more dimensional approach to classifying PD in adolescence. How do we distinguish personality disorder from typical developmental challenges?

2) Integrating a dimensional approach to the classification of PD in adolescence mental health service will inevitably request new and more fine-grained clinical skills. Do clinicians have this knowledge? How do we prepare clinicians for these new demands? 

3) Is there a risk that we base our judgement about personality pathology in adolescence on more general functional measures instead of core dysfunctions in self and interpersonal domains? Hence, are we, due to a more “loosely” defined dimensional approach, running the risk of confusing externalizing an internalizing pathology for personality pathology?

4) May the implementation of a dimensional approach to PD led to either an out-phasing of PD treatment or, on the contrary, over-diagnosing of PD in adolescents?

5) Do we know enough yet about the normal “self” and “interpersonal” mode of functioning in adolescents to use these core features as central features in the classification of PD?

6) What aspects of self and interpersonal functioning are particularly central in adolescents with PD within the ICD-11, and furthermore, what aspects of self–other understanding need further examination for adolescents specifically?

7) What and how do we improve and select assessment to diagnose PD within adolescents from a more dimensional perspective?

8) Does a more dimensional conceptualization of PD in adolescents effect the way we design and organize our treatment of PD?

Dr. Sune Bo
Dr. Majse Lind
Guest Editors

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• personality disorder
• ICD-11
• adolescents
• dimensionality
• personality pathology