Research findings on the personality disorders

The personality disorders, having become officially recognized disorders separate from the symptom disorders with the arrival of DSM-III, are prevalent and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic intervention. However, research on the treatment of these disorders has been hampered by the multitude of complex and difficult issues of client heterogeneity, early dropout from treatment, length of treatment needed, manualization of therapies, and measurement of change. The existing research findings are reviewed, with an eye to the clinical implications in the treatment of these clients at this point in time. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.