Self-defeating personality disorder

Self-Defeating Personality Disorder (Masochistic Personality Disorder)

Self-defeating personality disorder (SDPD), also known as masochistic personality disorder, was a proposed personality disorder. It was included in the appendix of the revised third edition of the DSM-III-R in 1987 but was not formally admitted to the manual.

Historical Context

SDPD was first proposed for inclusion in the DSM in the late 1980s. The concept stemmed from observations of individuals who consistently engage in self-defeating behavior, seemingly without conscious awareness of doing so.

Cover of the DSM-IV-R, where Self-Defeating Personality Disorder was first proposed.

Criteria and Features

The criteria set in the DSM-III-R for SDPD included patterns of destructive behavior towards oneself, an attraction to situations or relationships in which the individual will suffer, and an inability to recognize these self-defeating acts.

Controversy and Exclusion from DSM

The disorder was met with controversy, leading to its exclusion from the DSM-IV and subsequent editions. Critics argued that the diagnosis could victim-blame or pathologize adaptive coping mechanisms in abusive situations.

Alternative Classifications

In place of SDPD, the DSM-5 continues to use the category "Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PD-NOS)" for cases that don't fit into other defined categories. A future classification proposed is "Personality Disorder-Trauma and Stressor-Related (PD-TS)."

Cover of the DSM-5, which does not include Self-Defeating Personality Disorder. Image from Wiki Commons.

Current Usage

Despite its exclusion from the DSM-IV and DSM-5, some researchers and therapists continue to utilize the DSM-III-R criteria for SDPD in their work.

Diagnostic Code

The official diagnostic code for SDPD in the DSM-III-R was 301.90, corresponding to the broader category of "Personality Disorder NOS."

See Also

• Personality Disorder
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• Mental Health

External Links

• American Psychiatric Association - DSM Overview
• American Psychological Association - Personality Disorders

References

Self-defeating personality disorder Resources
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