Stability and course of personality disorders

The literature pertaining to the stability and course of personality disorders is reviewed, with a focus on reports published during the period 1997-1998, Available data suggest that personality disorders demonstrate only moderate stability and that, although personality disorders are generally associated with negative outcomes, they can improve over time and can benefit from specific treatments. Implications for future research are suggested and methodologic issues that must be considered are noted. Curr Opin Psychiatry 12:157-162. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.