Medical comorbidity of cluster B personality disorders

Purpose of review Cluster B personality disorders are associated with behaviour and lifestyle that cause significant problems not only for the personality disordered individual but for society as well. Despite the fact that cluster B personality disorders have attracted a lot of research interest recently, their association with medical (physical health) problems is less studied, though it is anticipated that personality is clinically important and influences the outcome of somatic disease illnesses. Recent findings Cluster B personality disorders are associated with Axis I psychiatric disorders such as addiction that have serious and life-threatening physical comorbidity. Lifestyle and health behaviours associated with cluster B personality disorders lead to medical problems and enhance preexisting physical problems. Furthermore, personality traits associated with cluster B personality disorders disrupt both medical treatment and follow-up, influencing negatively life expectancy and quality of life. Summary It is imperative that clinicians of all medical specialties are aware of the influence personality disorders and certain personality traits such as impulsivity can have on the outcome of the illness. Further research on the interaction between personality disorders and medical illness is needed.