Personality Disorders in Late Life

Abstract

Abstract. Personality disorders (PDs) affect a significant portion of older adults and hinder their physical and mental health. This narrative review (1) reviews the literature on PDs in older adults and (2) presents guidelines for clinicians in recognizing and managing this population. The presentation of Cluster A or C patients may remain stable or intensify, while Cluster B patients may shift to subtler presentations. Among assessment instruments, the Hetero-Anamnestic Personality Questionnaire is most promising, as it is age-specific and dimensional. Psychotherapies such as dialectical behavior therapy and schema-based therapy may be effective treatments. However, there remains a pressing need to conduct more comprehensive and focused research on PDs in older adults.