The Likely Classification of Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents in ICD-11

Abstract

The ICD-11 classification of personality disorders represents a radical change from both its predecessors and DSM. All categorical diagnoses are being removed and personality dysfunction will be measured on a single dimensional scale from no personality dysfunction through to severe personality disorder. There are four levels of personality dysfunction; personality difficulty (recorded as a Z-code in the classification and so is not a formal disorder), mild, moderate and severe personality disorder. At each level up to four or five domain traits associated with the disorder can be specified. There is no age limit for diagnosis and the diagnosis of personality disorder can be made in adolescence. It is argued that this new classification will be more apposite for assessing abnormal personality in a coherent manner that avoids spurious comorbidity, allows better treatment to be selected, and creates more homogeneous groups than the current classification.